Greek wrestling , also known as Ancient Greek wrestling and Palé, was the most popular organized sport in Ancient Greece. A point was scored when one player touched the ground with his back, hip or shoulder, or conceding defeat due to a submission-hold or was forced out of the wrestling-area. Three points had to be scored to win the match.One particularly important position in this form of wrestling was one where one of the contestants was lying on his belly with the other on his back trying to strangle him. The athlete on the bottom would try to grasp an arm of the one on top and turn him over onto his back while the athlete on top would try to complete the choke without being rolled.Wrestling was the first competition to be added to the Olympic Games that was not a footrace. The competitions were held in elimination-tournament style until one wrestler was crowned the victor. The wrestling area was one square plethron or stremma. This event was also part of the pentathlon. Wrestling was regarded as the best expression of strength out of all of the competitions and was represented in Greek mythology by Hercules.
Acropolis Museum
Even from 550 B.C. wrestling was deeply engraved in Greek culture since its an art that strengthens the body and sharpens the mind. In the acropolis museum there is this artifact dated to 550 B.C. showing one wrestler bear hugging another from the back position which is typical control and starting position of many takedowns.
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Wrestling culture was so strong in Greek cities that even in mythological concept art or religious places such as the Parthenon . Here you can see a Centraur first footsweeping a Lapithes (brother race of the Centaurs, mythological creature) then taking him down and while the Lapithes touches the ground with his knee the Centaur catches and one arm guillotine similar to the one that is used today in all grappling arts.
The foot sweep
The takedown
The guillotine
