The Ancient Middle East
The Middle Eastern civilizations included the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and Macedonians. Their area of the world spread eastward from the Mediterranean Sea across the Tigris and Euphrates valleys and ranged northward to present-day Turkey, southward to the Arabian Peninsula, and eastward to an area near modern India.
The Assyrian civilization began before 2000 B.C. and reached its peak of power about 1200 B.C. Thereafter one civilization followed another until about 100 B.C., when the Macedonians faded from the scene. Much of the emphasis within these successive civilizations was on military conquest.
Because of this military orientation, physical education in the Middle Eastern civilizations consisted primarily of warring activities, such as handling weapons and developing the ability to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
Much of the fighting of the Persians was done on horseback, so the skills needed for good horsemanship were emphasized in their culture. A strong emphasis also was placed upon swimming.
The physical education process for the men, which began in early youth and lasted well into the adult years, was very rigorous.
Since little emphasis was placed on intellectual development, the educational process was more training than true education. Dance, which was largely a part of ceremonial exhibitions, was discouraged as a recreational activity for the people.
