The Olympic Games in Antiquity
The Olympic Games as we know them today have a long history which goes back to ancient times, and everything started in the Peloponnese, in Greece, some 3,000 years ago.
Sports competitions were organised at Olympia and were named after their location, hence their name of “Olympic” Games. Nobody knows exactly when they began, but the date of 776 BC is often referred to as the first written mention of the competitions.
These Games were held at the same place, every four years. This four-year period acquired
the name “Olympiad”, and was used as a date system: time was counted in Olympiads,
rather than years.
Sports competitions were organised at Olympia and were named after their location, hence their name of “Olympic” Games. Nobody knows exactly when they began, but the date of 776 BC is often referred to as the first written mention of the competitions.
These Games were held at the same place, every four years. This four-year period acquired
the name “Olympiad”, and was used as a date system: time was counted in Olympiads,
rather than years.
The Panhellenic Games
The Games organised at Olympia led to the development of the Panhellenic Games.
These included:
These included:
- The Games at Olympia (Olympic Games)
- The Games at Delphi (Pythian Games)
- The Games at Isthmus of Corinth (Isthmian Games)
- The Games at Nemea (Nemean Games)
These Games were special because they brought the Greek world together (pan = all, hellene
= Greek) at a time when Greece was not a single state, but a series of city-states (politically
and economically independent communities). From Greece and the colonies (in Italy, North
Africa and Asia Minor), people travelled to take part in or attend these Games, inspired by
the shared feeling of belonging to the same culture or religion.
It should be noted that the four Panhellenic Games were never held during the same year.
It is difficult to know exactly what gave rise to these Games. Mythology is mixed up with
history, and events which happened at the time were often explained as the consequences of
divine intervention. This was the case for the Panhellenic Games, for which there are numerous
stories attempting to explain their origin.
= Greek) at a time when Greece was not a single state, but a series of city-states (politically
and economically independent communities). From Greece and the colonies (in Italy, North
Africa and Asia Minor), people travelled to take part in or attend these Games, inspired by
the shared feeling of belonging to the same culture or religion.
It should be noted that the four Panhellenic Games were never held during the same year.
It is difficult to know exactly what gave rise to these Games. Mythology is mixed up with
history, and events which happened at the time were often explained as the consequences of
divine intervention. This was the case for the Panhellenic Games, for which there are numerous
stories attempting to explain their origin.
The Sacred Truce
On the occasion of the four Panhellenic Games, a sacred truce was proclaimed. Messengers (spondorophoroi) went from city to city announcing the date of the competitions. They called for all wars to be halted before, during and after the Games in order to enable the
athletes, as well as the spectators, to travel to and from the Games sites in total safety. A climate of peace was considered important during the period of competition.
athletes, as well as the spectators, to travel to and from the Games sites in total safety. A climate of peace was considered important during the period of competition.
Games for the gods
The Panhellenic Games were of major religious significance. Each of the Games was celebrated
in honour of a specific god:
in honour of a specific god:
- Zeus, the god of lightning and the king of the gods, at Olympia and Nemea
- Apollon, the god of light, music and of reason, at Delphi
- Poseidon, the god of the sea and of horses, at Isthmus of Corinth
Overview of the site at Olympia
Of the four Panhellenic Games, those at Olympia were the most important.
Olympia was not a town or city, but rather a sanctuary. The site consisted of a sacred area, the Altis, marked by a boundary wall, and a secular (non-religious) area. The sacred area contained the temples, including the one to Zeus, the altars on which sacrifices were made, and the Treasuries, small buildings erected by the city-states in which precious offerings were kept (e.g. vases and statues).
The secular area was outside the boundary wall. It contained the training areas and competition sites, plus all the buildings used for the administration of the Games or to welcome important guests. Only the priests and the staff responsible for looking after the sanctuary lived at Olympia. At the time of the competitions, the atmosphere was very different. In addition to the athletes and spectators, merchants of all kinds flocked to the site: the number of people present for the Olympic Games is estimated to have been over 40,000.
Olympia was not a town or city, but rather a sanctuary. The site consisted of a sacred area, the Altis, marked by a boundary wall, and a secular (non-religious) area. The sacred area contained the temples, including the one to Zeus, the altars on which sacrifices were made, and the Treasuries, small buildings erected by the city-states in which precious offerings were kept (e.g. vases and statues).
The secular area was outside the boundary wall. It contained the training areas and competition sites, plus all the buildings used for the administration of the Games or to welcome important guests. Only the priests and the staff responsible for looking after the sanctuary lived at Olympia. At the time of the competitions, the atmosphere was very different. In addition to the athletes and spectators, merchants of all kinds flocked to the site: the number of people present for the Olympic Games is estimated to have been over 40,000.
Festivals and contests elsewhere in Greece
In addition to the Panhellenic Games, major sports competitions were held in Athens. These
were known as the Panathenian Games. They were part of the Great Panathenaea, the biggest
festival in Athens, which was held every four years in honour of the goddess Athena.
Everywhere in Greece and the colonies, there were numerous local competitions, some better
known than others. Each city made a point of organising them.
were known as the Panathenian Games. They were part of the Great Panathenaea, the biggest
festival in Athens, which was held every four years in honour of the goddess Athena.
Everywhere in Greece and the colonies, there were numerous local competitions, some better
known than others. Each city made a point of organising them.
The status of the Panhellenic Games and the large number of local competitions illustrate the importance of physical exercise and the spirit of competition in Ancient Greek society.