The
Ancient
lympics
The Ancient Olympics
• Began in 776 BC at Olympia, Greece
• Originally a religious ceremony in honor of
the Greek gods.
 100 oxen were sacrificed at the beginning of the Games
 “Olympic Truce:” All wars and battles were halted so that everyone could come
and watch the Games.
 Based on 4-year periods called Olympiads
 Usually on July or August, depending on the date of the second full moon after
the summer solstice.
 It was always hot while competing in the Olympics.
 They were held near Pisa.
 It lasted 5 days.
The Olympic Athlete
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Men only allowed to play
Men had to play in the nude or
with very little clothing (“gymnos”)
Running was the only event at the
first Games
First, competitors had to go to the
city of Elis a month before the
games
Once they were there, they had to
go through a tough training
regiment specially designed to
pick out those who weren’t worthy
of Olympic standards.
No shame was brought upon you
if you decided to drop out before
the games.
Dropping out during the live
games meant you were humiliated
for life.
 Most athletes would
compete totally
naked.
 This started because
of one single runner.
 This runner lost his
race because of his
loincloth.
 While he was
running, he tripped
on it.
 So other athletes
would just take theirs
off and compete
totally naked.
 This was so the
same mistake
wouldn’t happen
again.
 Boys would walk
around naked when
entering manhood.
 Both athletes and coaches
had the goal to win.
 Coaches trained the
athletes very hard for a
very long time.
 Coaches could accompany
their athletes to the stage,
but not naked.
 That changed because of
Pherenike.
 She had succeeded in
passing herself as her
son’s male trainer.
 While jumping the gate, her
identity was discovered.
 Because her son was
victorious, she was not
sentenced to death.
 Athletes wanted to have all
the chances of winning.
 So they even made special
diets.
 Traditional diets were: olives,
bread, feta cheese, and a
reasonable amount of meat.
 Some doctors would even say
not to eat pork that had been
raised from certain barriers.
 Magic was also a choice,
eating lizards in a certain
way(supposable) would give
off magical effects.
Rules
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In wrestling…
No biting,
No eye gouging,
Breaking opponent’s
limbs was legal,
• In boxing…
• Both men played until
one gave up or died
• In Greece, there was
no Second Place
• Only winners were
honored, the losers
were ignored
• Winners were given a
laurel wreath for their
head
 The ancient Olympic prizes were
much different than those of
today.
 The Olympics of today would
give out many medals.
 The ancient Olympics would
only crown first place winners.
 Ancient Olympians would gain
fame and treasure.
 The would receive annual
stipends, along with the best oils,
free meals, theater seats
hometown parades, and statues.
 Also got to go down in history as
champions.
Original Running Track:
Olympia, Greece
 Of course women
were not allowed
to compete in any
of the events.
 Married women
were not even
allowed to be
there.
 If a married
women was
found watching,
then they would
be killed.
 Fathers would
bring their
daughters to the
competitions so
they could marry
a champion.
Women
 Some women
wanted to do more
than watch the
games; some
wanted to compete.
 Sports for women
were held in
Olympia, just like the
Olympics.
 These were played
in honor of Hera,
Zeus's wife.
 They wore short
tunics to run.
 Women competing
was getting so
popular that boxing
for women was not
Women
Competing
The end of the Ancient Games
• Ended in 394 AD by
the Roman Emperor
Theodosius, who was
a Christian
• Considered them
“pagan” games