26. Harpastum A.K.A. Episkyros
During the Roman Empire, people played Harpustum, which is also known as “the small ball game.” This was a spinoff of an even older Greek game called Episkyros. Historians cannot find any records containing the rules of the game, so no one is really sure how it was played, or how similar it may or may not be to modern-day football or soccer. However, there are stories of the fact that it was so violent that one spectator accidentally got caught in the middle of play and broke their leg.
On Greek vases, men are depicted playing Episkyros in the nude. In the Roman Empire, men are pictured in clothing and even armor to protect themselves during the game. Since it was so violent, one might assume that only men played, because it would be far too dangerous for women and children. However, records show that there were teams of women playing, too. It’s always possible that the Greek version of the game was much more friendly, and that the Romans decided to take it up a notch to make it more challenging.