Everyone has heard of the Olympic Games. Many countries meet together in competitions to show their strength in many different categories. Whether it is winter or summer, there’s always something to cheer about. Every four years we cheer for the United States in snowboarding, gymnastics, etc., but how many of us know about the very first Olympic Games? Not many people could tell you much about them, so that is what this article is about. The first recorded Olympic Games took place in Greece in 776 B.C. These games were held to honor the Greek gods and goddesses, taking place on the ancient plains of Olympia. Since Olympia was the site of every contest, they became known as the “Olympics”. The games consisted of many physical competitions between
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Olympia had many temples for gods including temples for Zeus and for Hera. In the center of Olympia, they had a large altar which was used for the sacrifices during the games. There was a large stone statue of the Greek god Zeus that was considered to be one of the famous “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” There were also twelve treasuries in Olympia that were built in the archaic period. Many myths surrounding the Olympic Games include the story of Idaios Daktylos Herakles. Herakles was believed to be the son of Zeus and the founder of the Olympic Games. Zeus, the father of humanity, was considered the most important of all the Greek gods during the games, along with his wife Hera, the goddess of wisdom Athena, and god of music Apollo. All free men were expected to participate in the games, and did their best in the games in order to impress the Greek god Zeus. Married women were not allowed to participate or watch the games but Unmarried women were allowed to …show more content…
In wrestling, the participants were allowed to trip, but no punching, biting or gouging. The boxing lasted a long time and wasn’t over until one opponent was knocked out cold! Most of the blows were aimed at the head and the body was left unharmed for the most part. In the Pankration, the opponents would be brought to a somewhat muddy field, and “ground wrestled”. In this event, participants were allowed to punch, slap, twist body parts, and even break fingers!! It was extremely violent, but it was considered safer than boxing. There were also any large races with horses. They had chariot races, like the “Tethrippon”, where four horses would run 14 kilometers, there was also one called the “Synoris” where two horses would go about 7 kilometers. The chariots were ridden by paid servants, but the awards were given to the owners of the horses. The horseback races were around 1200 meters long and were traditionally done without a saddle or
Olympia had many temples for gods including temples for Zeus and for Hera. In the center of Olympia, they had a large altar which was used for the sacrifices during the games. There was a large stone statue of the Greek god Zeus that was considered to be one of the famous “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” There were also twelve treasuries in Olympia that were built in the archaic period. Many myths surrounding the Olympic Games include the story of Idaios Daktylos Herakles. Herakles was believed to be the son of Zeus and the founder of the Olympic Games. Zeus, the father of humanity, was considered the most important of all the Greek gods during the games, along with his wife Hera, the goddess of wisdom Athena, and god of music Apollo. All free men were expected to participate in the games, and did their best in the games in order to impress the Greek god Zeus. Married women were not allowed to participate or watch the games but Unmarried women were allowed to …show more content…
In wrestling, the participants were allowed to trip, but no punching, biting or gouging. The boxing lasted a long time and wasn’t over until one opponent was knocked out cold! Most of the blows were aimed at the head and the body was left unharmed for the most part. In the Pankration, the opponents would be brought to a somewhat muddy field, and “ground wrestled”. In this event, participants were allowed to punch, slap, twist body parts, and even break fingers!! It was extremely violent, but it was considered safer than boxing. There were also any large races with horses. They had chariot races, like the “Tethrippon”, where four horses would run 14 kilometers, there was also one called the “Synoris” where two horses would go about 7 kilometers. The chariots were ridden by paid servants, but the awards were given to the owners of the horses. The horseback races were around 1200 meters long and were traditionally done without a saddle or