HEAD TO HEAD
Episkyros vs Harpastum
Ancient Greece
ERA
Ancient Rome
Greece
ORIGIN
Greece / Rome
24–28 (12–14 per side)
PLAYERS
5–12 per side
Leather sphere
EQUIPMENT
Hard leather ball
Dirt court (varies)
PLAYING AREA
Rectangular pitch
Unknown
DURATION
unknown
None
GOVERNING BODY
None
No
OLYMPIC
No
Different Similar
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.
HARPASTUM IN ONE LINE
Harpastum was a violent team ball game played in the ancient Roman Empire, adapted from the Greek game episkyros. Players used passing, tackling, and feints to keep a small, hard ball on their side of a rectangular court.