Historical Highlights of the Ancient Olympics
The first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. (traditional date) and the last in A.D. 393,
when the Christian Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I abolished them because they were a
remnant of the pagan religions.
Location and Dating of the Ancient Olympics
The Ancient Greek Olympics were held every 4 years. This 4-year period was known as an
"Olympiad" and was used as a reference point for dating events. Since different Greek (citystates) had their own dating system, the Olympiad provided a measure of uniformity. The
Olympic games were named for the place they were held, Olympia.
Who Could Compete?
All free Greek men were entitled to compete in the ancient Olympics.
Ancient Olympics: Main Sports
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Boxing
Discus (part of Pentathlon)
Equestrian Events
Javelin (part of Pentathlon)
Jumping
Pankration
Pentathlon
Running
Wrestling
According to "The Athletic Events of the Ancient Olympic Games,"(1) the stade, a 200-yard
foot race, was the first and only Olympic event for 13 Games. The diaulos, a 400-yard foot
race, was instituted for the next (the 14th) set of Olympic Games and the dolichos, a
variable-length foot-race, averaging 20 stades, was instituted in the 15th Olympiad.
Boxing
The Iliad's author, known as Homer, describes a boxing event held to honor Patroklos
(Patroclus), the slain companion of Achilles. Boxing was added to the ancient Olympic games
in 688 B.C. Originally, boxers wrapped thongs around their hands and arms for boxing gloves,
but later, they wore less time-consuming, pre-wrapped, ox-hide thongs known as himantes.
Leather straps bound the himantes around the forearm.
What Is the Pentathlon?
The pentathlon, which began in the 18th Olympiad, consisted of the 5 (pent-) sports of
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discus,
javelin,
long jump,
running, and
wrestling.
Originally, the only event was the race (see preceding section). Jason, of Argonaut fame, is
credited with inventing the contest.
Religion as Part of the Ancient Olympics
Unlike the secular, modern Olympics, the ancient Olympics were religious festivals. There was
a gold and ivory statue of Zeus, inside the presiding god Zeus' temple at Olympia. 42-feet
high, it was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
While matrons were forbidden to attend the Games, the presence of the priestess of Demeter
was required. Maidens may also have been permitted.
It was sacrilege to commit a crime, like accepting payment, corruption, and invasion during
the Olympic games. "the truce was, in effect, an interim of civic and military neutrality in
honor of Zeus, the supreme judge and source of wisdom...."
Olympics Today and Yesterday
Originally, only free men who spoke Greek could compete in the ancient Olympics, the location
didn't move around, women athletes were forbidden, there was no torch, the games,
equipment, and clothing were different, Zeus was honored, winning athletes "put their home
towns on the map."