ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMESBy Mackenzie Hasenauer

ANCIENT OLYMPICS

Very first Olympic games were traced back to 776 B.C.

Games were dedicated to the Olympian gods

Took place on the plains of Olympus Continued for 12 centuries until 393

A.D. when Emperor Theodosius banned them

LENGTH OF THE GAMES

Started as a one day event Extended to 3 days in 624 B.C. 5th century B.C. - they were extended

even further to five days

RELIGION OF THE GAMES

Closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus

Showed the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people

Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

MYTHOLOGY OF THE GAMES

Zeus, the father of humanity, fought and defeated Cronus in a struggle for the throne of the gods.

Herakles staged games in Olympia in honor of Zeus Helped him conquer Elis when he went to

war against Augeas.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE GAMES

Olympic victories immortalized them All free Greek male citizens

Regardless of social status Married women couldn’t even watch Unmarried women could attend events Had to take an oath in front of Zeus

statue Stating they trained for at least 10 months

EVENTS OF THE GAMES

Running Events: Stade race (200 meters) Diaulos race (2 stades, 400 meters) Dolichos (ranging between 7 and 24 stades)

Jumping: Used stone or lead weights to increase the

distance of a jump Held the weights until the end of their jump,

and then threw them backwards.

EVENTS OF THE GAMES

Discus Throw: Originally made of stone and later of iron,

lead or bronze Technique was very similar to today’s

technique Equestrian Events:

included horse and chariot races took place in the Hippodrome

EVENTS OF THE GAMES Wrestling:

Highly valued form of military exercise Went on until one opponent admitted defeat

Boxing: Wrapped straps around wrists to strengthen

and steady hands Later switched to leather which disfigured

opponents’ faces Plankration:

Combination of boxing and wrestling Considered the toughest sport

MOST FAMOUS ATHLETES OF THE GAMES

Astylos of Croton Won a total of six victory olive wreaths in

three Olympiads Stade and Diaulos

Milon of Croton Six times Olympic wrestling champion One in youth, and the rest in men’s

MOST FAMOUS ATHLETES OF THE GAMES

Leonidas of Rhodes Won 12 total Olympic victory wreaths 4 consecutive Olympiads

Won Stade, Diaulos, and Armor races

Kynista of Sparta Daughter of King Archidamos of Sparta First woman to be listed as an Olympic

victor Chariot won in the four-horse chariot race in

the 96th and 97th Olympiads Equestrian events go to the owner not the rider

VICTORY CEREMONIES OF THE GAMES

Received first awards immediately after the competition Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a

palm branch in the victor’s hands Spectators cheered and threw flowers Red ribbons were tied on his head and

hands as a mark of victory

VICTORY CEREMONIES OF THE GAME

Official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games Took place at vestibule of the temple of

Zeus The herald would announce the name of

the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland

Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath on the winner's head