a kind of combat or engagement between two persons unarmed, body to body, to prove their strength and dexterity, and try which can throw their opponent to the ground.

Wrestling is an exercise of very great antiquity and fame. It was in use in the heroic age; witness Hercules, who wrestled with Anteus.

It continued a long time in the highest repute, and had considerable rewards and honours assigned to it at the Olympic games. It was the custom for the athlete to anoint their bodies with oil, to give the less hold to their antagonists.

Lycurgus ordered the Spartan maids to wrestle in public quite naked, in order, as it is observed, to break them of their too much delicacy and niceness, to make them appear more robust, and to familiarize the people, &c. to such nudities.