The Historical Odyssey of Greek Martial Arts By Jim Arvanitis Jim Arvanitis, internationally known as the “Father of Modern Pankration,” presents his brutally effective martial art in Game of the Gods: The Historical Odyssey of Greek Martial Arts. Arvanitis explores pankration’s ancient Greek roots, as well as its modern combat and mixed-martial arts applications. Founded more than 3,000 years ago, pankration (meaning “all powers” or “total strength”) is one of the oldest martial arts in the world and the first to combine striking, grappling and submission techniques. It is widely referenced in Greek mythology and poetry, and it was the cornerstone of the earliest Olympic Games. Many of today’s mixed-martial arts fighters will be surprised to find their “modern” techniques were used by ancient Olympians in fierce—and often fatal—battles. Regardless of individual style, any martial artist will benefit from the strategies and cultural history presented within. Game of the Gods is arranged in two sections. The first covers the myths and traditions behind the development of sport pankration and the evolution of the Hellenic combat arts. In the second section, Arvanitis utilizes his decades of teaching experience to instruct the reader in pankration’s methodology and techniques, detailed in scores of photographs and easy-to-follow captions. Topics include: submissions and counters grappling escapes, sweeps and reversals takedowns and takedown defenses ground-and-pound techniques knees, kicks and hand strikes Arvanitis contends that, “be it a front kick, hammerfist or shoulder throw, the lineage of each can be traced back to the ancient Greeks.” After reading Game of the Gods and practicing the techniques within, the reader will appreciate the effectiveness of pankration and the rich cultural heritage from which it emerged. 230 pages ISBN-10: 0-89750-155-1 / ISBN-13: 978-0-89750-155-2 484Regular price: $24.95Clearance: $5.00