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The surprising origins of the Super Bowl – BBC

Published in February 2024 by BBC

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Brief Overview

This video explores the connection between America’s most popular sporting event and the ancient Roman game of Harpastum. This ancient sport, played across the Roman Empire, involved physicality, teamwork, and strategic ball control—similar to modern American football. The video highlights how elements from these ancient games have evolved into the spectacle of the Super Bowl today, showcasing a lineage of competitive sportsmanship spanning centuries and cultures.

Highlights

  • The Super Bowl, America’s most-watched sporting event, has roots in the ancient Roman sport of Harpastum.
  • Harpastum was played across the Roman Empire from the 1st century AD and resembled today’s team sports with physical exertion and strategic gameplay.
  • Similarities between Harpastum and modern sports like rugby and American football suggest a historical lineage of competitive team play.
  • Other ancient games like the Mayan ballgame and the Chinese game of Cuju also share similarities with modern team sports.
  • The evolution of these ancient games into modern spectacles like the Super Bowl reflects a continuation of sports traditions spanning millennia.

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