Martial Arts and Combat Sports are not the same thing. A combat sport is, by definition, an athletic contest between two individuals, the main intention of which is to assure the participants’ safety while allowing one contestant to defeat the other. Wrestling, judo, taekwondo boxing, and mixed martial arts are all typical examples of combat sports. Techniques that are by definition hazardous to the participant’s health and continued integrity are prohibited. It is plainly understood that contestants are not allowed to attack one another’s eyes or genitals, bite through each other’s throat, or attack the spinal chord and skull using lethal strikes, locks, or other techniques. In true combat situations, however, all the above do apply – when one fights for his life, there are no limits, and one’s instincts center on killing the enemy as quickly as possible. Consequently, both the training methods and the applied kinesiology are different for martial arts and for combat sports, and always have been.
The word “Pammachon” (pan-machon) was most likely used by the Ancient Greeks to describe their martial arts. The Greek words “machaira” (μάχαιρα – knife, blade), and “machi” (μάχη - battle) originate from the same root “mach-” (μαχ-). Thus the word “machi” (μάχη), essentially describes a martial confrontation that includes both the use of close quarter combat weaponry (e.g. knife, sword, spear, lance, club etc.), and (the somewhat more important in contemporary times) unarmed combat against these aforementioned lethal weapons. Hence, a proper translation of the word “pammachon” (πάμμαχον) would be “total combat” – but, as we will see, the term is not limited to this context.
Pammachon was practiced in Greece until the 19th century, evolving to adapt to the times throughout the centuries, its core principles kept intact. Today, well-known martial artist, hoplologist and author Kostas Dervenis is trying to revive and reconstruct this lost art, in hopes that the tradition can be maintained and passed on to future generations.
In this website you will discover a plethora of Pammachon-related material, as well as announcements of our future activities and recent news. We hope you enjoy your time with us.
Kostas Dervenis
All photos, drawings, and written material are copyright to Kostas Dervenis, © 1995, 2004, 2007. Unauthorized reproduction for commercial purposes is prohibited. You may download material for personal use but it may not be used in electronic or hardcopy publications without express written permission.
