Corporate awards might be a thing that have only sprung up in relatively recent years, but trophies and awards generally have been around for thousands of years. The most obvious exemplory case of instances where trophies have been an important part of human culture may be the Olympic Games. There is absolutely no doubt that, even though trophy which was awarded to winners of an Olympic games event was a laurel wreath, the esteem in which it was held was as great, or maybe even greater than, the gold medal awarded for exactly the same events today. It is simply undeniable that awards and trophies which have been presented to winners throughout human history are a demonstration of the significance that each or group recognition plays in the human psyche. It is interesting to notice the development in the forms of trophies awarded to winners over time. As stated above, laurel wreaths were the first trophies ever awarded at the Olympic Games but as time passed awards of even greater significance began to become standard. article filled with precious essential olive oil were presented to winners in the early days of the Olympic Games and even later, vases on tripods and bronze shields soon became the standard. Later again, silver cups received as an indicator of the prestige which individual achievements were held. In ancient Roman times the awards took on sustained significance when money replaced trophies, especially in gladiatorial contests. However the recognition of achievement were still maintained by way of perpetual trophies handed from winner to win with each passing event. Even sporting events that have been held in England in the centre Ages rewarded winners with chalices created from precious metals. Archers would compete for prestigious events hosted by members of the royal family or local lords simply for the recognition it accorded them and the esteem in which they might be held by the local community. Indeed, it had been not unusual for the winners of the events to eventually achieve sustained standing with the award of land. Symbolic gestures have grown to be a standard thread throughout history and trophies have become a vital part, not just in Western culture however in many other countries around the globe as well. Ancient Chinese records show that superior achievements on the battlefield were rewarded with medals awarded by the Emperor and in the Mayan culture high achievements were publicly recognised in ceremonies designed specifically for the purpose. Sporting achievements have also been a common thread inside our history where trophies have already been held in the highest esteem. Horse racing is synonymous with this and the history goes back to the 1600s in the Americas where a small silver cup, later to become known as the Kyp Cup, was awarded to the winner of a horse race between two towns in New England. As time passes many things change and the values inside our lives ebb and flow with the span of human history, but a very important factor is for certain. Trophies will continue to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether it be in the corporate sphere or on the sports field.
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