Whether it was the ancient Romans or the Chinese, sporting activities were often an integral part of ancient culture. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a sport is defined as a contest or a game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other. Many had great religious significance, while others were used for training or recreation for rich nobles. Violence seemed to be a common characteristic of these games. Gladiators in ancient Rome regularly fought to the death, and players often drowned in the Nile or were eaten by crocodiles or hippos when playing fisherman's jousting in Egypt. This website will describe these various sporting activities and compare them based on their rules, religious significance, and overall influence on culture.