Ancient Greek Olympic Games:
The ancient Greeks had there own Olympics about 3000 years ago. Some aspects of modern Olympics relate to the Greek Olympics. The Greek Olympics started in 776 B.C. These Olympics took place in Olympia and like modern Olympics took place every four years. Olympia was not a normal city. It only had the sporting stadium and a sanctuary. The Greeks held the Olympics to honor Zeus. The Olympics were very popular and considered very important. The ancient Greeks even measured their years by the Olympics. Thousands of people from all over the world came to compete and watch the Olympics. If there were wars going on during the times of the Olympics, they were stopped. This allowed all competitors from around the world to compete and all spectators to come and watch. Spectators slept out in the open in Olympia and sometimes in a tent.
The Olympics lasted for five days. During the Olympics there were athletic events, religious ceremonies, and banquets. Only males were allowed to compete. Slaves, all women, and men who committed crime were excluded from the Olympics. Women could not even watch the Olympics. Demeter and maybe girls (young) were allowed to watch the Olympics.
There were a lot fewer events in the Greek Olympics than modern Olympics. Some of the events were foot-races (200, 400, and 4,000 meters), pentathlon (discus, long jump, javelin, running, and wrestling), boxing, foot-race wearing armour, horse and chariot races. Most events were preformed in the nude. The winner of the Olympics won a crown made of wild olive leaves. They could also make a statue of themselves in Olympia. The citizens of the town that the winner was from also received special prizes like front row seats to concerts and free meals. There was no second or third placings.
Heria was a type of Olympics for young women. It was also held in Olympia and happened every four-years. It did not occur the same year as the Olympics. The only event was foot-racing. The women competing wore tunics. Heria honored the goddess Hera. The ancient Olympics ended in A.D. 393. The modern Olympics were started in 1896 by French Pierre de Coubertin. These Olympics were again popular. This time men and women could compete. This is how the Olympics came to be!
The Olympics lasted for five days. During the Olympics there were athletic events, religious ceremonies, and banquets. Only males were allowed to compete. Slaves, all women, and men who committed crime were excluded from the Olympics. Women could not even watch the Olympics. Demeter and maybe girls (young) were allowed to watch the Olympics.
There were a lot fewer events in the Greek Olympics than modern Olympics. Some of the events were foot-races (200, 400, and 4,000 meters), pentathlon (discus, long jump, javelin, running, and wrestling), boxing, foot-race wearing armour, horse and chariot races. Most events were preformed in the nude. The winner of the Olympics won a crown made of wild olive leaves. They could also make a statue of themselves in Olympia. The citizens of the town that the winner was from also received special prizes like front row seats to concerts and free meals. There was no second or third placings.
Heria was a type of Olympics for young women. It was also held in Olympia and happened every four-years. It did not occur the same year as the Olympics. The only event was foot-racing. The women competing wore tunics. Heria honored the goddess Hera. The ancient Olympics ended in A.D. 393. The modern Olympics were started in 1896 by French Pierre de Coubertin. These Olympics were again popular. This time men and women could compete. This is how the Olympics came to be!