HEAD TO HEAD
Cuju vs Episkyros
c. 300 BC – 1600s AD
ERA
Ancient Greece
China
ORIGIN
Greece
Varies (2–32)
PLAYERS
24–28 (12–14 per side)
Leather ball, high net
EQUIPMENT
Leather sphere
Varies (walled court)
PLAYING AREA
Dirt court (varies)
Varies
DURATION
Unknown
None
GOVERNING BODY
None
No
OLYMPIC
No
Different Similar
CUJU IN ONE LINE
Cuju is an ancient Chinese ball game recognized by FIFA as an early form of association football. Players kicked a leather ball through an elevated net opening without using their hands.
EPISKYROS IN ONE LINE
Episkyros was an ancient Greek team ball game played by throwing and passing a hair-filled leather sphere. Played primarily in Sparta, it was a physically intense precursor to Roman harpastum and early football games.
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