Understanding the Ancient Roots of Soccer
Soccer, or football as it's known in most parts of the world, is deeply engrained in the world's history, with some versions of it tracing all the way back to 2500 BCE. This popular sport has ancient roots, originating from various forms of similar games played around the world, stretching from China to Mesoamerica.
In Ancient China, during the Han dynasty, a game known as "cuju" or "kick ball" gained popularity. The game consisted of two teams trying to kick a leather ball filled with feathers through an opening, without the use of their hands. The similarities between cuju and modern-day soccer are uncanny, fostering the belief that cuju might truly be the earliest form of soccer.
In Ancient Greece, a similar game named "Episkyros " was played, which was later adopted by the Romans and renamed "Harpastum". Episkyros entailed a lot of physical contact, and players tried to get the ball over the opponents’ boundary lines. The Romans took this game with them when they invaded Britain, where it slowly evolved into a rough admixture of what we now consider soccer and rugby.
Moving across to the Americas, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures (including the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas) also played a ball game that had similarities to soccer. The game was ritualistic in nature and often tied to religious ceremonies. The ball was made out of rubber and needed to be passed through stone hoops attached to the walls of the playing court, without using hands.
In medieval and early modern Europe, games that can be categorized under the banner of "mob football" became widely played. These games would involve entire villages or towns and had very few rules. The aim was simple: kick the ball into the designated goal area. These versions of the game were exceptionally violent and were often banned. However, they endured, gradually chipping away at public resistance and gaining more structured rules, that eventually shaped the sport we know today.
By the nineteenth century, England, the birthplace of soccer as we know it, began to formalize and institutionalize the game. The first laws of the game were drawn up in London in 1863 under the freshly formed Football Association. Over time, soccer started spreading across the globe reaching other European nations, South America, Africa, Asia and finally the United States, where it is the fastest growing sport today.
Global Evolution and Adaptations of Early Soccer
Soccer, known as football in most parts of the world, dates back over 2,000 years to ancient civilizations. Tracing the origins of this globally popular sport involves exploring various cultures and their unique adaptations to the game, which contributed to the evolution of modern-day soccer.
The earliest version of soccer can be traced back to Han Dynasty China (206 BC – 220 AD), where a game called 'cuju' was enjoyed. This game was a popular form of entertainment and military training, comprising a leather ball filled with feathers and hair, kicked through an opening measuring only 30-40cm in width. The charm of cuju quickly spread across Asia, and each culture added its twist, contributing to the early adaptations of soccer.
In ancient Greece, they played a similar game, "Episkyros," involving complex maneuvering techniques and a comparatively larger playing field. This game soon gained popularity in Rome, where it was renamed "Harpastum." The Romans adapted it further, making it more violent and competitive.
The indigenous people of Australia played a game called 'Marn Grook,' involving large teams covering around a two square kilometre area. It incorporated the kicking and catching elements seen in soccer today. Upon witnessing Marn Grook, Tom Wills, one of the developers of Australian Rules Football, was inspired to incorporate elements of the indigenous game.
Moving forward, Medieval England saw a form of soccer being played in the streets that was extremely violent and equally popular. An annual Shrovetide game between neighboring towns involved hundreds, sometimes thousands of players, and the sole rule was no murder. The game formed significant social ties within communities but was eventually banned due to its violent nature.
Around the same period in Italy, a more organized version of soccer developed, known as 'Calcio Storico'. Played in Florence's Piazza Santa Croce, this elaborate game composed of kicking, passing, and plenty of physical contact between 27 diverse players, from boxing champions to artists. Calcio Storico evolved into a more formal, organized, and less violent approach to the sport, bearing a closer resemblance to the soccer we know today.
The global evolution of soccer took a significant leap in the 19th century, in England. The establishment of standardized rules, known as the 'Cambridge Rules', transformed the sport into a less violent, more strategic game.