Greek Classicism Is More Than Just A Game

In 776 B.C a new era began for athletes. The first olympic games were held in Olympia, Greece. “The ancient games were not only an expression and definition of common cultural values, but also an arena for intense competition between Greeks.” (Gold, silver, and bronze) The olympics were an important part of Ancient Greece culture because, it brought their civilization together, kept the greeks fit and ready for war, and the games were used to satisfy their gods.

In Ancient Greece there weren’t as many sports as there are now. Sports today are a lot different from what they used to be in the Olympics in Athens.

The purpose of the ancient Greek Olympic Games was not to boost the status of your country like it is today, but to honor the Greek Gods. More specifically to honor the God Zeus, who was also known as “Father of Gods and men. The son of Cronus and Rhea was a wise and fair God who ruled both Heaven and Earth. His official title was King of Mount Olympus which is also the home of the Greek Gods. People worshiped Zeus due to his high authority, and because he controlled lightening and thunder which he used as weapons. Zeus held many titles such as patron of hospitality, keeper of oaths, and God of crops and harvest. The Greeks wanted to insure that they would have good fortune. To do so they went to Greek temples and prayed. Greek Gods were a

The Olympic Games, Pythian Games, Isthmian Games, and the Nemean Games, known collectively as the Panhellenic Games served as annual hubs for Greek culture. This made the Stephantic Games a unique phenomenon in Ancient Greece as they brought together the various and often warring city-states of Greece into a collaborative effort with one another.

A powerful roar of excitement only adds to the already excentric level of thrill. An energy driven by the athletes pushing their physical and mental strength to glorify the Gods fills the stadium. The crowd filling the stands radiate with delight as heat after heat of men race down the two stade sprint (Ancient Olympic Games). The authors at Olympics.org have traced the start of the Olympics all the way back to 776 BC. The catalyst for the modern day Olympics that started in 1896, many of the sports and ceremonial things that take place today are nearly the same as in ancient times. The same as today, they were the ultimate stage of modern sports. However, the motivations, cultural effects, and history are nearly completely different from today.

The ancient Greek people came up with many ideas and made many advancements that changed today’s world. One such creation was the Olympics. Athletes all over the world dedicate their lives to a sport, using a combination of talent and hard work in the hope they they will one day represent their country in the Olympic Games. These Games first came into existence in ancient Greece during the year 776 BC. According to an article published by the Penn Museum, “The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses.” Though the Games died out around 400 AD, the idea remained. Then, in 1896, the first modern-day Olympics took place in their place of origin- Olympia, Greece- with 34 participating countries. From there, they continued to grow in size until they became the massive global event that they are today (The ancient Olympic games, 2017). Even though few people know much about Zeus, and even fewer people care, it is thanks to him and the rest of the Greek gods and goddesses that the world can come together every four years and honor the the best of the best.

The 1st time recorded festivity of the Games in Olympia was about in 776BC, although this was surprising not the very first time they were held. History says that the Romans commanded that only one event was contested in this early event, a sprint, called the ‘stade’, and it is sure that many changes have occurred in the Olympic games since its commencement; Roman influence, reintroduction and of course its wide-ranging status as it is today. Of course, with certain traditions have remained the same. The Olympic flame, for instance, has been a powerful symbol of the games and although

is fain to keep part in fold.”(Pindar: Olympian Odes, c. 470 BCE) These games were just

Olympic Games reflect the Ancient Greeks lifestyle and view of life because of their religion. The first Olympic Game was in honor of Zeus. There was a statue

Olympics holds competitive events that people look forward to. This is where men and women athletes get to represent their countries legacy and pride. It contains many competitions such as basketball,soccer,archery,wrestling,swimming,etc. Though, the Olympics games were first instituted by the Greeks. Greece created in honor of the king of gods, Zeus. Every four years, athletes from all over Greece would play in the Olympics .However, after 1986, the Olympic games were held in different venues around the world. For example, some places the Olympics took place in were in Africa, Australia, Asia, and America. They did this because they wanted the games to be an representation of international brotherhood and friendship. In the beginning of the games, the torched would be first lit by the sun rays in Olympia and carried by runners to the site of the games.

The games were a very religious event but they also helped the Greeks in war. Boys would always grow up wanting to be like their dad in the Olympics. Because they wanted to be like their dad they would train all day. This helped in war because it would keep them very fit and able to march for a long time even with armour and swords.In the army, soldiers would have to march everywhere they went, becasue they didnt have cars and planes for transport. This took a lot of conditioning and they would have to do it in the hot sun. There was even and event in the Olympics where it was a race in in full military gear(Ross, 42). Athletes would dedicate their lives to the Olympics getting them strong an also ready for war. Athletes in wrestling and pankration were also trained for war because they knew how to fight in close quarter

The games were both religious and athletic festivities, which were meant to honor the Gods. The main God to be honored at these games was Zeus, the God of the sky and thunder. These games took place at the sanctuary of Zeus. Like the modern day Olympics these games took place every four years. Unlike the modern day Olympics they included not only athletics, but also combat activities. As the Romans began to gain power over Greece the games began to lose their importance in Greek culture.

The ancient Greek had many ways of appreciating to god but one of them is that they had festivals, sacrifices, and the whole Olympic games were to honor the Greek god Zeus. The people who went to the Olympics went to Zeus’ temple and they thanked and praised him before the games. They would also go to an olive grove called Altis and they would pray for victory of the Olympic games that they were in. If the ancient Greeks had not had the Olympic games they would not be every 4 years and we wouldn’t even have the Olympic games today. The Olympic games were the most important games to the ancient Greeks because it showed their religion, their event that they had, and the chnges we made to the Olympics through

The Olympic Games began around 776 BC. They were held at Olympia every four years, in honour of Zeus, who was the father and most powerful of all the gods ( Zeus is shown on the coin pictured opposite).

The Ancient Greeks were the first people to invent the olympic games. The events can be traced back as far as 776 B.C. That's about 1,970 years before the first modern olympic games! The ancient games were always held in Olympia, the reason is that it was a major religious center at that time. No one really knows who started the ancient games, but there have been many myths about the story behind them.. One myth is about a challenger of King Oinomaos, “One tale says King Oinomaos of Pisa would only allow a man who could beat him in a chariot race marry his daughter Hippodamia, but if the challenger lost, he would be beheaded. Prince Pelops wished to marry Hippodamia and crafted a plan to beat Oinomaos. Pelops won