21. Funeral Games
In modern times, funerals are a very serious black-tie affair where people come to mourn over their deceased loved ones. But for the ancient Sumerians and Greeks, some funerals were turned into athletic competitions played in honor of the recently deceased. However, people die every day. These competitions were only played for some of the most important leaders in society. They would also be played in honor of dead soldiers, civic heroes, and politicians.
Players in the funeral games believed that if they succeeded in these sports, they might win the favor of the spirit of the person who died. These games were similar to The Olympics, which were originally played in honor of Zeus. The winners would take away a crown wreath made out of olive branches. They would also get something made of metal that was useful, like a pot or kettle. Eventually, this transitioned into the modern-day equivalent of earning a gold, silver, or bronze medal.