Morris tribune., 1883-05-09
PUGILI I
The Anoiemt Origin of the So-Ca'led Manly

PUGILISM.
The .Aacient Origin of the So-Caited Many
The story of the origin and progress
of pugilism is interesting The word
pugilist comes from the Latin patgata-
tbs, the art of fighting with the fists, as
also does pa,gnus, fight. The anti
putty ofpugilism is acknowledged by all
writer's. The first renowned exponent
of the manly art is mentioned among
the heroes of Greek mythology. HIS
name was Pollux, and he had twin
brother named Castor, who excelled as
o horse-tamer. They were said to be
sons of Jupiter, their mother being the
wife of Tyndarus, King of Sparta; and
Helen of Troy was their sister. Poliux
is designated as the protecting deity OF
the boxers. Helen, the beautiful, hav-
ing been stolen away by Theseus, the
twins attacked and ravaged Attica and
recovered their sister. They accom-
panied the expedition of Argonauts,
and, on touching at theport OF Amycus,
the giant King of Bebryces, on their way
to Colchis, were Hospitality entertained.
There were no soft gloves in those days.
but Amycus, faneying that he was ex-
pert in the use of his arms and fists,
amused himself by DOMINIC the c@s tus
and knocking people out. 1t was ike
being struck with a cannon-bau to re-
ceive left handler with a csestus, and
Amvcns knew the vulnerable spots OF all
his opponents. Knocking his own sub
iects out did not amuse him so much as
set-to with stranger, and he had post
ed standing challenge offering to en-
gage any stranger who came his way in
a trial of skill. Pollux heard of the
Boosting Amycus, and decided to put
on the mttens" with and take the con-
| ceit out of the King. Amycus soon
| found he had met John l.. Sullivan,
| and he endeavored to trick Pollux, but
whether by striking below the belt or
otherwise does not appear. Pollux OBJ
| jected to fighting an unfair battle, and,
gathering himself together, he knocked
Amvcus out in less than four rounds,
and the Bebryces threw up the sponge
and had to get another King, because
| Amvcus never recovered from the eff
fects of the blow which knocked him
out. At last, associated with Idas
and Lynceus, Castor and Pollux plum
dered Arcadia, and, dispute arising
over the division of the spoils, Lynceus
and Castor quarreled. Castor was 6
good horse-tamer, and no doubt had
taken few lessons in boxing from his
brother, the then champion Pollux,
but he was not built of the right stuff
for pugilist. Jupiter got wind OF the
battle, and, Judging from the result OF
the encounter, he must have assumed
the position of referee, while Idas
acted as second for Lynceus, and the
champion did like service for his brother
The details of the fight are not in print
neither is it known how many rounds
were fought, but it appears that Lyn
ceus, by fair or foul means, got in 6
clean hit on Castor and killed him.
Pollux objected to the mode of fighting
indulged in by Lynceus, and, flushed
with his victory over one of the twins,
Lynceus unwisely said offensive things
and tainted the surviving brother.
whereupon, breaking into the ring
Pollux gave the victor a set-to, and
knocked him out in single round with
out recourse to rules. Both of thu
original combatants having been killed
the quarrel should then have ended, bu
Idas, in all probability, abused thu
referee, who thereupon shot thunder
bolt probably his good right arm) a
him, and knocked Idas out of time. The
ancients worshiped Castor and Pollu1
not only as the protecting gods of gym
nastic exercises, but also as the gods O
hospitality and the mighty helpers o
man. Eryx was another heaven-de
scended pugilist, and his desire for box
ing was probably inherited, as he was {
descendant of Amyeus, whom Pollu1
knocked out. Eryx thought he would
follow the example of his illustriou'
ancestor, and issued and kept standing
challenge which Hercules heard o
and accepted. The result was a slug