What Does The History of Trophies Tell Us?

I have noticed that in all competition and recognition or awarding rite, there are always trophies that will be handed in to the lucky recipients. In some countries, the ceremony or event of giving trophies is sacred and much awaited. There were even different forms of trophies in different societies. In some early kingdoms, the trophies are in the forms of amphora, vase, a shield made from bronze and a cup made up of silver metals.

There were also societies where the trophies are in the form of challis and other expensive treasures and items during those times. Knowing these made me really more interested to the history of it. Hence, in order to feed my appetite for the information I want, I was led to the internet and read different researches and articles about the origin of it. On my quest, I first bumped into the origin of the term trophy itself. I have found out that even though it has been coined in English during the year 1550, it was just derived from a French word "trophee” in the year of 1513 or three years after it has been coined. That French term used to refer to something like a prize or a spoil of a war. This only proves how close its connection was to the war during the ancients.

As a matter of fact, it is already part of the history. Furthermore, this old French term is also known as the monument or a proof of victory. However, there are also many variations of this word in different countries. For example, if you are from Latin country and can understand more English than compared to other languages, the term tropaion is used to refer to something like "to defeat” or to win over someone. Moreover, I have also found out that during the old times in Greece, the trophies were actually made in the fields where triumphant battles or wars happened.

These range from captured arms and the like and these will all be hung on a tree to any big stake that can somehow resemble the image of a warrior. Aside from the item itself that serves as the trophy, people will also commonly inscribe the story of the battle and then dedicated these trophies to their Gods. Lastly, I also have noticed the different forms of trophies in different countries or culture. As I have mentioned above, there are some trophies in the form of challis and other expensive items back then or even arms of the enemies. On the other hand, there are also societies that treat the captured heads of their enemies as their trophies, especially in the ancient patriarchal society.