The forms of wrestling we know today as Greco-Roman and Freestyle found their origins in the lands on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. These lands are where the Ancient Greeks resided, and developed the art of wrestling.

Wrestling to the Greeks was not only part of a soldier's training regimen, but also a part of everyday life. Youth did not only learn grammar, rhetoric, and mathematics, but young men also went through physical training which consisted of dancing and the art of wrestling. Boys were paired up and learned the art of wrestling in their master's palaestra, or private exercise court built onto the house of a schoolmaster, under the supervision of their instructor. The Greek recognized wrestling as a means of development of grace and symmetry in a vigorous activity that demands a high degree of skill and physical fitness.

Greek literature points out that the skill of wrestling was utilized by gods and kings, as well as by soldiers and private citizens, in their efforts to triumph over ignorance, evil, and brute force. Most of the heroes of Greek mythology were depicted as skillful wrestlers. Their appreciation of skill most likely led to its introduction as a major sport in the Olympic Games in the year 704 B.C. Before 704 B.C. wrestling was an event of the pentathalon.

Wrestling in Ancient Greece is depicted in art such as sculptures and vase paintings, and wrestlers even showed up on their coins and in murals. Wrestling matches are even mentioned in writings such as Homer's Odyssey which dates back to 800 B.C. According to legend, Theseus is supposed to have drawn up the first rules of wrestling in 900 B.C.

Wrestling was a major sport in most ancient Greek festivals, including the Olympic Games, from the beginning. In these festivals sports other than wrestling, such as foot-races, chariot-races, throwing of the diskos and javelin, and boxing, were also included. These events with variations and additions made up the program of the athletic festivals of Greece throughout their whole history. The events of the Olympic Games survived even through the rise and fall of the Roman empire.

The form of wrestling that was an event in the ancient Olympics was the beginning of what we know today as Freestyle wrestling. Milo of Croton is the most famous of all ancient Greek wrestlers, winning 6 Olympic championships, though he would not take part in thePankration or boxing.

The decline of the sport of wrestling and other sports in national competitions was brought about by monetary prizes at competitions and the professional athlete, who devoted his life to training and taking part in competitions for the prize money. This brought about disinterest from the common man, who couldn't devote all his time to training. This also brought about corruption. Wealthy competitors could buy their way to victory or wealthy gamblers could pay someone off in order to fix a contest. Some athletes gladly took bribes in order to make money.

Along with the corruption of the sport of wrestling, the rise of the Roman Empire also contributed to the decline of the sport of wrestling. With the conquering of Greece by the Romans, the Greek form of wrestling began to lose popularity, since the Romans didn't have the same appreciation for grace and skill. The Romans were more interested in brute strength and violence. This is why the Pankration survived along with another form of wrestling that is a combination of the Greek and Roman styles, which we now know today as Greco-Roman. This style is strictly upper body. A competitor must use only his upper body and attack only his opponent's upper body (the waist and above). Since then, rule modifications have been made, but it is still the basic form of Greco-Roman.

One last thing that brought about the decline of Greek wrestling, is the participation of many more countries in the Olympics. This was due to the Romans allowing other countries to participate in competitions such as the Olympics. The Greek spectators became tired of seeing their local wrestling heroes being defeated by competitors from the East. The success of the Asian wrestlers and others helped along the decline of Greek wrestling.