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