The First Olympic Games

By: Kathryn Rieb

Who?The Greeks (1100 – 750 BC). Ancient Greece is called 'the birthplace of

Western civilization’. About 2500 years ago, the Greeks created a way of life that other people admired and copied.

They believed that individuals should be free as long as they acted within the laws of Greece. This allowed them the opportunity to excel in any direction they chose.

Individuality, as the Greeks viewed it, was the basis of their society. The ability to strive for excellence, no matter what the challenge, was what the Athenians so dearly believed in.

What?

The first Olympic games. It inspired the modern Olympic Games (begun in 1896).

The Olympic Games were especially important to the Greeks, and it was the games that unified national, spiritual and racial beliefs.

The ancient Greeks were also very competitive people, and all strived to be the best. Winning an Olympic event was the highest honor people could achieve.

Where?

Olympia, in southwest Greece.

Olympia was situated in a valley in Elis, in western Peloponnesus, through which runs the Alpheus River. It was not a town, but only a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of the gods.

Olympia was a national shrine of the Greeks and contained many treasures of Greek art, such as temples, monuments, altars, theaters, statues, and votive offerings of brass and marble.

When?

Thought To have begun in 776 BC. The Greek

Olympic games were staged every four years. In the beginning, the games consisted of only one event, the running of the stadium, and lasted for just one day.

However, towards the 5th century, the games were extended to five days, and more events were also added.

Why?

The Games were part of a religious festival. The Games were held in honor of Zeus, king of the gods and Hera, his wife.

The games were also helped to solve the constant civil wars among the Greek city-states. During the Olympic games Elis and Olympia were sacred sites and that no armed man should set foot on the grounds.

In addition, three months before and after the games, a truce should exist among all the Greek city-states. This sacred truce of the games became an almost religious observance among the Greeks

Fact: The Demise of the GamesIn 394 AD the last games were held. Under the orders of Emperor

Theodosius I, the games were abolished. This was because the taking part in any worshipping of idols was forbidden.

Why is this important to me?

This is important to me because I like sports and I would like to learn all the details of the first official sports

tournament. I am also interested in the way the Greeks lived so long ago.

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"BBC - Primary History - Ancient Greeks." BBC - Homepage. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/

Athens, Atg. Olympia Greece. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. http://www.olympia-greece.org/ "The Ancient Greeks - the Athenians of Ancient Greece." Arrowhead Web Design & Consulting -

Web Site Design & Updating, Domain Names, Etc. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. http://www.arwhead.com/Greeks/