Anonymous
7/17/2025, 11:29:53 AM No.17849159
What was the ancient equivalent of Tank olympics?
Replies:
Thread 17849159 - /his/ [Archived: 334 hours ago]
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 11:31:52 AM No.17849164
>>17849159 (OP)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_biathlon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_biathlon
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 11:48:26 PM No.17850518
>>17849159 (OP)
Here are some notable analogues:
1. Greek Gymnikos Agon (Athletic Contests)
Events like hoplomachia (mock battles with weapons) and pankration (a brutal unarmed combat sport) tested combat skills.
The Olympic Games themselves were originally tied to warrior virtues—speed, strength, and endurance meant for battle.
While not unit-based like tanks, these events trained and displayed martial potential.
2. Roman Cavalry Displays – Hippika Gymnasia
Mounted mock battles, formation riding, and weapon throwing drills.
Often theatrical: Roman cavalry dressed in ornate armor and performed complex maneuvers—both training and propaganda.
Very close in spirit to the Tank Biathlon: military skill shown off in controlled, competitive settings.
3. Persian and Central Asian Horse Archery Contests
The Parthians, Sassanids, and later Turco-Mongol cultures trained with horseback archery contests.
Events like shatranj-i-rami (military polo), archery ranges, and even mock hunts were all part of elite training.
Like tank games, they tested coordination, accuracy, and control under pressure.
4. Indian Chariot Festivals and Martial Games
In Mahabharata-era India, chariot combat was both real and ceremonial.
Kings held tournaments showcasing warriors driving and fighting from chariots.
Not unlike modern military sports, they emphasized tactics, speed, and ranged weapons.
Conclusion:
While ancient cultures didn’t have machines like tanks, they celebrated and formalized military prowess in similar public competitions—especially in cavalry, archery, and hand-to-hand combat. The hippika gymnasia and Parthian/Mongol horse games come the closest in form and intent to the modern Tank Biathlon.
Here are some notable analogues:
1. Greek Gymnikos Agon (Athletic Contests)
Events like hoplomachia (mock battles with weapons) and pankration (a brutal unarmed combat sport) tested combat skills.
The Olympic Games themselves were originally tied to warrior virtues—speed, strength, and endurance meant for battle.
While not unit-based like tanks, these events trained and displayed martial potential.
2. Roman Cavalry Displays – Hippika Gymnasia
Mounted mock battles, formation riding, and weapon throwing drills.
Often theatrical: Roman cavalry dressed in ornate armor and performed complex maneuvers—both training and propaganda.
Very close in spirit to the Tank Biathlon: military skill shown off in controlled, competitive settings.
3. Persian and Central Asian Horse Archery Contests
The Parthians, Sassanids, and later Turco-Mongol cultures trained with horseback archery contests.
Events like shatranj-i-rami (military polo), archery ranges, and even mock hunts were all part of elite training.
Like tank games, they tested coordination, accuracy, and control under pressure.
4. Indian Chariot Festivals and Martial Games
In Mahabharata-era India, chariot combat was both real and ceremonial.
Kings held tournaments showcasing warriors driving and fighting from chariots.
Not unlike modern military sports, they emphasized tactics, speed, and ranged weapons.
Conclusion:
While ancient cultures didn’t have machines like tanks, they celebrated and formalized military prowess in similar public competitions—especially in cavalry, archery, and hand-to-hand combat. The hippika gymnasia and Parthian/Mongol horse games come the closest in form and intent to the modern Tank Biathlon.