The history of pankration is long and storied, dating back to the ancient Greek Olympics. Pankration was one of the most popular and prestigious sports in the ancient world, and it was even considered to be one of the three "sacred" sports, along with wrestling and boxing.
Pankration was first introduced to the Olympics in 648 BC, and it quickly became one of the most popular events. The sport was also popular in other parts of Greece, and it was often practiced in schools and gymnasiums.
Pankration was a brutal sport, and it was not uncommon for fighters to be seriously injured or even killed. However, the sport was also highly respected, and it was considered to be a test of both strength and courage.
The rules of pankration were simple: anything goes. There were no weight classes or time limits, and fighters were allowed to use any technique they wanted, including punches, kicks, throws, and grappling. The only rule was that fighters were not allowed to gouge each other's eyes or bite each other.
Pankration was a very effective fighting system, and it was used by soldiers in the Greek and Roman armies. The sport also had a significant influence on the development of other martial arts, such as judo, wrestling, and boxing.
Pankration declined in popularity during the Middle Ages, but it was revived in the 19th century. The sport is now practiced all over the world, and it is one of the most popular forms of mixed martial arts.