The Olympics To Return: A Rich History Of Ancient Greece

The olympics have been around for ages and almost a thousand years in ancient times. According to many people the olympic of ancient times can be traced back to 776 b.c and goes all the way to 393 A.D. The records state that the games were played in the island of pelops. The Games were dominated by the cult followers of zeus. Religion and the games were also stated to be very close in relation.

“Although the ancient Games were staged … from 776 BC through 393 AD, it took 1503 years for the Olympics to return” (The Games). The Olympic Games were very important to the Greeks just like the Games are a huge spectacle for the world now. The Games were always important to the Greeks because the Olympics tied into their religion. The Greeks used the Olympics to worship their gods by showing their strength and gifts that the gods had given them. Once the Greeks lost their empire, the Olympics died off. Modern day people did not warm up to the idea of the Olympics until the 1900s. Once they warmed up to the idea of the Olympics, they took off with it, and it is now a global spectacle. The Olympics has a rich history, significant purpose,

At the end of the dark ages in ancient Greece, nothing was more important to Greek men, than reaching their divine potential. At a young age Greek males were taught many legends, such as the Odyssey, which gave them a desire to accomplish their own heroic journey. The importance to be recognized and remembered as a hero surprisingly led to the creation of a religious festival called, the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games created an opportunity for all free men to discover their divine role in society, by letting them present their skills in athletic competitions, which often led to the victors gaining a sense of immortality. The Olympics provided what was needed in the Greek society to continue the teachings of having a sound body and mind in order to fulfill ones divine purpose.

The Olympics is one of the few activities that brings the world together. The Olympics first started in the ancient times, dating back to 776 BC. They were first dedicated to Olympian gods, but modern games are to give athletes an opportunity to show their skill, and for others to enjoy watching them (“History”). The first modern world wide olympics was held in Athens, Greece in 1896, having 14 countries participate, with over 200 total athletes.

Ancient Olympics originated in a religious way and influenced modern Olympics greatly in many forms. The Olympics were a very important part of Greek culture because it honored their god, Zeus. Gods played an important role in the ancient Olympics but slowly started focusing more on competition. Like today, participating in the Olympics was a great honor and the winners were well rewarded and respected. The Olympics have brought people together for several years to compete and have fun, at least for the viewers. The Olympics started off from naked Greek men, to all genders and ethnicities competing.

The Olympics used to be for religious reasons also. People could be entertained and they could practice their religion at the same time. The Olympics were held for the Greek Gods. People from all over came to the games to show respect for their Gods. This had an enormous impact on history and the future.

The first Olympic games were held all the way back to 776 B. The site where the ancient Olympics were held is called “Olympia” it is in the western part of the Peloponnese. The site holds many amazing, ancient structures such as buildings, shrines and ancient sporting facility’s. The ancient Olympics had 13 sports, all free men were allowed to attend or compete , woman was not allowed to attend the Olympics if they were married. The ancient Olympic nearly continued for 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius banned the games in 393 A.D.

Just like today the those who won received prizes and recognition Just as the Greeks did we still celebrate the Olympic Games. We also continue some of the old traditions. For example, the olive leaf crowns and the opening and closing celebrations. Another idea that shaped the artistic expressions from the Greeks to modern civilization was theatre. Greece was also know for theatre since the early days.

The Olympics today and the ancient Olympics are similar and different in some ways. The celebration of the modern Olympics and the ancient Olympics are the same as they take place after every four years and the competitions are still the same. The same competitions that were there in the past such as javelin, long jump and sprinting among others are still done today.

The Olympic games began in 776 B.C, as a ceremonial series of events to honor the Greek King of the gods, Zeus. It included sports such as wrestling, chariot races, discus throwing, and javelin. The Olympics in these ancient times, were regarded as extremely important and anyone who had lost had to face severe repercussions from their own countrymen when they went back. However, victors were held in high esteem and were honored greatly when they returned home.

The Ancient Olympic Games took place during a time of prosperity for the nation of Greece. In fact, they contributed to the success of the Greek Empire. The Olympic Games reinforced the power of ancient rulers, brought peace with the surrounding nations, and created a reliable way to track time. These ancient games have had such an influence, that they are still continued in our modern society.

A quote once said “ You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live as fully as possible.” ~ Unknown. Ancient Greece is important to learn about because ancient Greece changed their lifestyle to what we use today so we have gotten almost all of our things from ancient Greece. Ancient Greece created the Olympic games. Greek´s started doing the Olympic games because they knew that the Minoans had only done sports like that but Greekś created the Olympics. The first games started in mid-July 776 B.C. In the games they had to compete naked! The Olympicś were held in Olympia in honor of the Greek god Zeus. Every fourth year after that athletes and spectators gathered from across the Greekś place to preform.

Lets begin with “How did they start?” The Olympic games began in 776 BC. A cook from a nearby city won a 600-foot long stadium race thus some how started the Ancient Olympics. Many historians believe that this was the only event at the time. The Olympics took place in a city known as Olympia, which was an ancient Greek city.

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 Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation, the kind of international competition that's wholesome and healthy, an interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us,” said John Williams, the composer for theme music for the Olympics (8). The Olympic Games are international sports festivals that began in ancient Greece. The first ancient Olympics can be traced back to 776 BC when people held this religious festival to honour Zeus, the father of all the Greek gods and goddesses. The participants were male citizens from Greece, and these athletes participated in only one event — foot race. Unfortunately, this ancient Olympics did not last forever. The first olympic in 776 BC in Olympia was an significant event