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How Did The Roman Games Affect The Ancient Olympic Games

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The Ancient Olympic Games has made an impact both on the past and present time. The event became well known to the public ever since its first event around 776 BC. The Greek games determined and selected certain civilians who had exceptional endurance and athleticism within the games. The event was an opportunity for the Greek civilization to enhance their athleticism and sportsmanship without any risk of death or injury. Events like running, jumping, discus throw and many others gave glory and wreath-like crowns to those worthy contestants who proved to have outstanding physical training. The purpose of the Ancient Olympics was secular in order to honor the Greek god Zeus. However in Rome, the Romans also followed with their own event to honor the Roman chief god, Jupiter Optimus Maximus. The Roman Games, called ludi, was quite different from the Greek Olympic system. Ludi had three programs of spectacles for Roman civilians: ludi circenses, venationes, and ludi scaenici. Ludi circenses were games being played within a circus, most primarily chariot racing and gladiator fights (munera) were the main events under the circus program. Venationes were games with an additional appearance from animals. Animals played part in the Roman Games to be hunted as a complement to the gladiator games. Ludi scaenici were not technically actual games compared to chariot racing and animal hunts, but a leisure activity of watching theater. The purpose of Ludi was to not only honor Jupiter,

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