Harpastum — ancient Roman prototype of soccer and rugby

Soccer is perceived by many as a modern invention, but in fact various ball games have been known since ancient times. Not surprisingly, the Romans also had a ball game.

This game was called harpastum and was very beloved by the Romans. It was usually played in the baths to warm up properly before the water procedures. The ancient Greek writer Atheneus and one of the early Christian bishops Sidonius Apollinaris spoke highly of the game, and the famous Roman physician Galen believed that harpastum:

…is better than wrestling or running, as it exercises every part of the body, takes little time, and costs nothing.

Unfortunately, we know very little about how this ancient Roman game was played. Apparently, it was a cross between soccer and rugby.

Reconstruction of the game of harpastum by a modern Italian television channel

Many ancient Greek writers note that Roman harpastum was borrowed from the Greeks, who also had a ball game called episkyros (ἐπίσκυρος — literally “common ball”). It is interesting that even FIFA recognizes this game as an early form of soccer, and an ancient Greek bas-relief depicting an athlete with a ball on his knee is engraved among…