Ancient Olympic Games

The modern Olympics were inspired by the festival held by the Ancient Greeks to celebrate the gods and promote peace OLYMPIA MYTHOLOGY PARTICIPANTS

TAthletes being cheered on at the finish line. HE Olympic Games as we know them have a history stretching back to antiquity. It all began about 2 800 years ago in the southwest of Greece on the Peloponnese Peninsula. From ancient manuscripts, archaeologists have discovered that the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC and took place every four years to honour Zeus, the king of the Ancient Greek gods.

This four-year period later became known as an Olympiad. The ancient Olympic Games were held every four years in Olympia in the western Peloponnese in the city-state of Elis. Olympia was a sanctuary or sacred place where people gathered to worship their gods.

The temple of Zeus was the largest building and lay at the centre of the sanctuary, with the temple of the goddess Hera, his sister and wife, opposite it. Around these two buildings were smaller temples, shrines and ancient sport facilities. The stadium where the Games were held seated about 45 000 spectators.

In the fourth century BC, more buildings were added where athletes could train and live during the Games. No one knows exactly how the first Games began but according to Ancient Greek mythology (folk tales and legends) it was “the will of the gods”. There are many myths about the origin of the Games, such as that Zeus started them to celebrate his victory over his father, Cronus. The Games were also held to honour A jar depicting athletes in the ancient Olympic Games. other gods such as Hera, the queen of the gods, and two of Zeus’ children – Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, and Apollo, god of the sun and music.

The Games also helped to promote peace between the constantly warring Greek city-states (see above right). All Greek men who weren’t slaves could take part in the Olympic Games, whether they were rich or poor. Shepherds, royalty and philosophers all competed. Greek city-states chose the best athletes from their gymnasiums to represent them in the Games. These athletes had to practise for months and qualify for their events in Olympia.

Women weren’t permitted to take part and married women were barred from attending on penalty of death. But unmarried women did have their own athletics competition at Olympia every four years called the Heraia, in honour of Hera.

As is the case today, the winning athletes were regarded as heroes. Some had long careers, such as boxer Theagenes of Thasos who remained undefeated for 22 years. But some came to a sad end, such as