The Ancient Pentathlon or the "fivefold contest" was one of the most prestigious events at the ancient Greek Olympics. Contestants competed in the footrace, long jump, throwing the discus and throwing the javelin. The two men scoring the highest in these events were selected for the final contest, a wrestling match.

The winner of this was declared to be the pentathlete.

Three other sports were added in as well, in latter years. The boxing, Pankration and Equestrian events.

In the foot race, the competitors must run around the Olympic stadium which was about 200 metres. The long jump was nothing like it is today. They did not have a run up, as they stood and jumped from a standing start. They even used heavy rocks to help them get more distance. They held onto the weights until just before impact and they then let them go backwards, giving them an extra push.

The discus throw was pretty much the same then as it is today. They made their discuses from stone, or later on in the Hellenistic age, they used iron, lead or bronze. The way they threw the discus was very similar to how athletes do it today.

Javelin was quite different. The greeks use to use a strap attached to the javelin to propel it further. They would wrap the strap around their hand and launch it from a run.

Wrestling to the ancient Greeks was more then just a sport, but a lifestyle. All soldiers must know how to wrestle. In a wrestling much, a man can only win when the other opponent gives up.

In Greek myth, the Pentathlon was invented by Jason. Jason was the ancient Greek hero who was sent to get the Golden Fleece. The Pentathlon was more then likely the climax of the ancient games, with the winner being crowned 'Victor Ludorum'.