There is a rich and vast history of athletics in the Greek world, but what most history overlooks, is what the winners went through to compete in the Olympics and if they win where would they end up. Through the 12 centuries, each Olympic winner would be seen as an immortal demi god. Even After a winner’s death legends would be told of his victories. How was life after winning the Olympics and what affect did it have on Greeks?
Not all men could compete in the Greek games only free Greeks were welcome to test their strength, speed and agility, regardless of their social status. The Athletes would have been very diverse with general, shepherds and even men of royal blood all trying to out do each other. Each Athlete would have to endure 5 days …show more content…
From the Vouleutirion ten judges called Hellanodikai would say the Olympic Oath. After the oath the competitors would continue to the scared olive grove where they would make offerings to different gods. The only real sports done on the first day were running, wrestling and boxing. Day two of the Olympic was all about speed with the inclusion of chariot races. They’re where two types of chariot races two horses and four both at extremely short distance. The chariot races were considered the most exciting event due to the possibility of death.3 At the end of the second day they would hold champion ceremonies along side the funeral of the fallen athletes around the shrine of Pelops.2 On the third day of the Olympics all of the ambassadors from Greek states brought symbols of their cities to be used in the celebrations. Day three was the most important when it comes to religious events. The judges arrived they would visit each temple in the Altis saying prayers until they reach the end at Zeus temple where Priest would make an animal sacrifice.2 After the sacrifices the games would continue with ling distance running, called the dolichos, which ranged form 2.25 …show more content…
The Olympic, were dedicated to Zeus and excluded women from competing/spectating. Women would have their own games honor of Zeus’s wife Hara. These games would include foot race, but for only unmarried virgin women. 6 Although it is unclear when the women games started, but it seems to coincide with the male games. There is very limited information on the women games other than what the Greek traveler Pausanias says during the 2nd century. He speaks about the temple of Hera in the Sanctuary of Zeus, he states that it was organized and judged by a group of 16 women from the cities of Elis.7 Pausanias even gives us a limited description of the attire the girls would wear. Unlike the men who compete nude these females would wear a tunic that covered well blow the knees with their left breast exposed to honor the legendary Amazons.7 After a woman was claimed victory she would be able to attend male games and would be highly sought after. The prize for winning the women Olympics would have been an Attic Red Figure of the goddess of victory Nike.
Not all men could compete in the Greek games only free Greeks were welcome to test their strength, speed and agility, regardless of their social status. The Athletes would have been very diverse with general, shepherds and even men of royal blood all trying to out do each other. Each Athlete would have to endure 5 days …show more content…
From the Vouleutirion ten judges called Hellanodikai would say the Olympic Oath. After the oath the competitors would continue to the scared olive grove where they would make offerings to different gods. The only real sports done on the first day were running, wrestling and boxing. Day two of the Olympic was all about speed with the inclusion of chariot races. They’re where two types of chariot races two horses and four both at extremely short distance. The chariot races were considered the most exciting event due to the possibility of death.3 At the end of the second day they would hold champion ceremonies along side the funeral of the fallen athletes around the shrine of Pelops.2 On the third day of the Olympics all of the ambassadors from Greek states brought symbols of their cities to be used in the celebrations. Day three was the most important when it comes to religious events. The judges arrived they would visit each temple in the Altis saying prayers until they reach the end at Zeus temple where Priest would make an animal sacrifice.2 After the sacrifices the games would continue with ling distance running, called the dolichos, which ranged form 2.25 …show more content…
The Olympic, were dedicated to Zeus and excluded women from competing/spectating. Women would have their own games honor of Zeus’s wife Hara. These games would include foot race, but for only unmarried virgin women. 6 Although it is unclear when the women games started, but it seems to coincide with the male games. There is very limited information on the women games other than what the Greek traveler Pausanias says during the 2nd century. He speaks about the temple of Hera in the Sanctuary of Zeus, he states that it was organized and judged by a group of 16 women from the cities of Elis.7 Pausanias even gives us a limited description of the attire the girls would wear. Unlike the men who compete nude these females would wear a tunic that covered well blow the knees with their left breast exposed to honor the legendary Amazons.7 After a woman was claimed victory she would be able to attend male games and would be highly sought after. The prize for winning the women Olympics would have been an Attic Red Figure of the goddess of victory Nike.