Racing: Difference between revisions
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Another prominent racing myth was that of [[Atalanta]], the daughter of [[Iasius|King Iasius]] of [[Arkadia]]. According to legend, the beautiful princess refused to marry any suitor who could not beat her in a footrace while the penalty for failure was death. All men who took upon her challenge lost and were executed until a man named Hippomenes finally bested her by distracting her with apples. More than just a myth, this event occurred in the 6th century BCE. Hippomenes was the new name taken by [[Kyros of Zarax]], an Olympic champion, after he had won, albeit by cheating through the use of an [[Apples of Eden|Apple of Eden]].<ref name="Divine Science Kyros of Zarax">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax]]</ref> | Another prominent racing myth was that of [[Atalanta]], the daughter of [[Iasius|King Iasius]] of [[Arkadia]]. According to legend, the beautiful princess refused to marry any suitor who could not beat her in a footrace while the penalty for failure was death. All men who took upon her challenge lost and were executed until a man named Hippomenes finally bested her by distracting her with apples. More than just a myth, this event occurred in the 6th century BCE. Hippomenes was the new name taken by [[Kyros of Zarax]], an Olympic champion, after he had won, albeit by cheating through the use of an [[Apples of Eden|Apple of Eden]].<ref name="Divine Science Kyros of Zarax">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax]]</ref> | ||
The Hellenization of [[Egypt]] by the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]] led to chariot racing becoming a popular event in [[Alexandria]]'s [[Lageion Hippodrome|hippodrome]]. By 48 BCE, the [[Veneta Blue]] and the [[Prasina Green]] competed to become the best chariot racing team. The [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] joined the Prasina Green after he quarreled with his old friend [[Claridas]], a member of the Veneta Blue.<ref name="Old Times">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Old Times]]</ref> Due to his winning streak, Bayek became a famous chariot racer.<ref name="Aya: Blade of the Goddess">''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[Aya: Blade of the Goddess]]</ref> | The Hellenization of [[Egypt]] by the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]] led to chariot racing becoming a popular event in [[Alexandria]]'s [[Lageion Hippodrome|hippodrome]]. By 48 BCE, the [[Veneta Blue]] and the [[Prasina Green]] competed to become the best chariot racing team. The [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] joined the Prasina Green after he quarreled with his old friend [[Claridas]], a member of the Veneta Blue.<ref name="Old Times">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Old Times]]</ref> Due to his winning streak, Bayek eventually became a famous chariot racer.<ref name="Aya: Blade of the Goddess">''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[Aya: Blade of the Goddess]]</ref> | ||
In [[Roman civilization|Ancient Rome]], chariot racing was also a popular activity. [[Circus Maximus]] in [[Rome]] could hold 250,000 people, which was roughly one quarter of the city's population.<ref name="Circo Massimo">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Database: Circo Massimo]]</ref> In [[Constantinople]], the classical Greek [[Hippodrome of Constantinople|hippodrome]] was enlarged and improved by [[Constantine I]] and remained in use for nearly 800 years.<ref name="Hippodrome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Hippodrome]]</ref> | In [[Roman civilization|Ancient Rome]], chariot racing was also a popular activity. [[Circus Maximus]] in [[Rome]] could hold 250,000 people, which was roughly one quarter of the city's population.<ref name="Circo Massimo">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Database: Circo Massimo]]</ref> In [[Constantinople]], the classical Greek [[Hippodrome of Constantinople|hippodrome]] was enlarged and improved by [[Constantine I]] and remained in use for nearly 800 years.<ref name="Hippodrome">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Hippodrome]]</ref> | ||
===Middle Ages=== | ===Middle Ages=== | ||
In the 860s, the [[Hidden Ones of Alamut|Alamut Hidden One]] [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]] was challenged to a foot race by a fellow Hidden One who wished to prove his superior speed. Unfortunately for the challenger, Basim proved to be the swifter [[Freerunning|freerunner]] of the two and won the race.<ref name="Marked Coins">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[The Marked Coins]]</ref> | |||
[[File:Tamir Rooftop Race 2.png|thumb|250px|left|Altaïr racing across rooftops]] | [[File:Tamir Rooftop Race 2.png|thumb|250px|left|Altaïr racing across rooftops]] | ||
During the [[Third Crusade]], the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] was tasked by his [[Informer|informants]] to complete short races in exchange for information about his [[Hunt for the Nine|assassination targets]]. During some of these races, Altaïr was tasked to collect [[flag]]s within a given amount of time, while others only required him to reach the informants before they left the city.<ref name="AC1">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> | |||
During the [[Third Crusade]], the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] was tasked by his [[ | |||
===Renaissance=== | ===Renaissance=== | ||
Revision as of 22:42, 3 May 2026

Racing is the activity of engaging in a competition of speed, which in turn is called a race. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific goal. Throughout history, many cultures used racing as a way of training, entertainment, or sports competitions.
History
Antiquity
In Ancient Greece, the myth of the chariot racer Pelops became the origin of the Olympic Games, where competitors participated in many types of races as running or horseracing at the Sanctuary of Olympia. Even if at the beginning, women weren't allowed to participate, the victory of the Spartan princess Cynisca in 396 BCE permitted other women to participate at chariot competition. Women also competed in footraces during the Heraia.[1][2] Throughout Greece, many cities possessed a stadium, a dromos, or a hippodrome to train their athletes.[3]

Another prominent racing myth was that of Atalanta, the daughter of King Iasius of Arkadia. According to legend, the beautiful princess refused to marry any suitor who could not beat her in a footrace while the penalty for failure was death. All men who took upon her challenge lost and were executed until a man named Hippomenes finally bested her by distracting her with apples. More than just a myth, this event occurred in the 6th century BCE. Hippomenes was the new name taken by Kyros of Zarax, an Olympic champion, after he had won, albeit by cheating through the use of an Apple of Eden.[4]
The Hellenization of Egypt by the Ptolemaic Kingdom led to chariot racing becoming a popular event in Alexandria's hippodrome. By 48 BCE, the Veneta Blue and the Prasina Green competed to become the best chariot racing team. The Medjay Bayek of Siwa joined the Prasina Green after he quarreled with his old friend Claridas, a member of the Veneta Blue.[5] Due to his winning streak, Bayek eventually became a famous chariot racer.[6]
In Ancient Rome, chariot racing was also a popular activity. Circus Maximus in Rome could hold 250,000 people, which was roughly one quarter of the city's population.[7] In Constantinople, the classical Greek hippodrome was enlarged and improved by Constantine I and remained in use for nearly 800 years.[8]
Middle Ages
In the 860s, the Alamut Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq was challenged to a foot race by a fellow Hidden One who wished to prove his superior speed. Unfortunately for the challenger, Basim proved to be the swifter freerunner of the two and won the race.[9]

During the Third Crusade, the Levantine Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was tasked by his informants to complete short races in exchange for information about his assassination targets. During some of these races, Altaïr was tasked to collect flags within a given amount of time, while others only required him to reach the informants before they left the city.[10]
Renaissance
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Thieves' Guilds from Italian city-states organized races in Florence, Venice, Forlì, San Gimignano, and Rome to test the speed of the competitors. The Italian Master Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze participated in numerous races, becoming a legend and a role model among the thieves for his speed and agility.[11]
At the 1486 Carnevale of Venice, a competition of four games was organized for the Golden Mask, which provided entry to the Doge's personal ball. One of the games was a speed race,[12] while another was a capture the flag race.[13]
Victorian London

By 1868, the bookie Robert Topping organized illegal street racing events, principally carriage racing, in London. The twin British Assassins Evie and Jacob Frye regularly participated in his racing competitions, becoming the champions of London.[14]
Modern times
During his time in the Animus, the Assassin Desmond Miles trained himself in race simulations to develop his skills through the Bleeding Effect.[15]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed II
- Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- Assassin's Creed: Origins
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage
References
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Elis: Temple of Hera
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy – Divine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Old Times
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Aya: Blade of the Goddess
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – Database: Circo Massimo
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Database: Hippodrome
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Mirage – The Marked Coins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – For the Fans
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – And They're Off
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – CTF
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood