Barely Boring Historical Note:
Before the oligarchy of Athens was overthrown--Sparta was on Athens side, being an oligarchy--there was the Olympics. Way before. Many historians credit the Olympics with being at least a a partial catalyst for the overthrow of the absolutist government of Athens and the birth of the first democracy. The Olympics had a long history of allowing anyone to compete against anyone, not limited to nobility. And lots of times bakers, farmers, and whomever could compete, and often win, against their rulers.
Spank
Before the oligarchy of Athens was overthrown--Sparta was on Athens side, being an oligarchy--there was the Olympics. Way before. Many historians credit the Olympics with being at least a a partial catalyst for the overthrow of the absolutist government of Athens and the birth of the first democracy. The Olympics had a long history of allowing anyone to compete against anyone, not limited to nobility. And lots of times bakers, farmers, and whomever could compete, and often win, against their rulers.
Spank