The David Brent Wolfe Dictionary of

Greek Martial Art Terms

These are terms that I have come across in my readings of Greek history and archaeology.

P

• Palaestra means the location where pankration was taught or practiced. Frequently, this is an open air location or perhaps an opening in a grove of trees.
• Pale lutte means the Greek style of wrestling.
• Pan means all.
• Pankration means all force, all power, or all strength. It was an ancient, 648 B.C.E., Greek Olympic method of fighting. It is considered the ancestor of modern boxing and modern wrestling. It included throwing, striking, and grappling in its variety of techniques. It did not permit eye gouging nor biting.
• Pigmachia means the punching techniques and methods taught in pankration.
• Pneuma means breath or air. The term is used as an equivalent to the Chinese term, qi or chi, and to the Japanese term, ki.
• Polemeestees means a pankration fighter.
• Pyrrics is a term used to mean a routine or form. It can be an individual or paired routine. The term is used an an equivalent to the Chinese term, kuen, and to the Japanese term, kata.