The Ancient Olympic Games
It is indicated that the Olympic Games began in 776 BC in Olympia and were held in honour of the ‘King of Gods’, Zeus. Olympia is now a sanctuary for Ancient Greece.
The Ancient Greeks were highly competitive and strongly believed in ‘agon’, an ancient Greek word for ‘contest’. They strived to be the best in all aspects of life, especially athletics. It was therefore one of the greatest honours to gain victory at Olympia. The only prize given at Olympia was an olive wreath which shows that the Greeks competed for honour, not material goods.
These Olympic Games were not only an athletic event but also a religious festival. It was a time to gather and worship at a pantheon, a temple of all gods. Sacrifices were also made to the gods for victory.
From the beginning, the games at Olympia were served to strengthen the Greek sense of national unity as peace agreements were made with the city-states.
The games were held every four years until 393 AD when Theodosius abolished them in imposing Christianity as the state religion.
The Ancient Greeks were highly competitive and strongly believed in ‘agon’, an ancient Greek word for ‘contest’. They strived to be the best in all aspects of life, especially athletics. It was therefore one of the greatest honours to gain victory at Olympia. The only prize given at Olympia was an olive wreath which shows that the Greeks competed for honour, not material goods.
These Olympic Games were not only an athletic event but also a religious festival. It was a time to gather and worship at a pantheon, a temple of all gods. Sacrifices were also made to the gods for victory.
From the beginning, the games at Olympia were served to strengthen the Greek sense of national unity as peace agreements were made with the city-states.
The games were held every four years until 393 AD when Theodosius abolished them in imposing Christianity as the state religion.