Olympics

Greek Style

When & Where

The first Olympics were
in the year 776 BC.
They were first held in a
valley at the base of Mt.
Olympus.
The original games
were held to honor the
god Zeus.
The games turned into a
way to see which polis
had the greatest
warriors.

What were the games

like?

The first Olympic event

recorded was a 200 yard
dash. A young cook
named Coroebus of Elis
won this event.
There were two types of a
running events, fully
armored and nude.
Some of the other events
included spear throwing
(javelin throw), wrestling,
discus, long jump, boxing,
chariot racing, and
pankration
Very few team events.

Who could compete?

Only men where allowed to compete in the
original games.
Women werent even allowed to watch the
games.
One of the reasons was because the men
competed in the nude.
Even though women were not allowed to
compete, there was one woman that won an
event.
HOW?

Who could this woman

be?

A Spartan
Woman of
Course.

What did she win?

The woman won a chariot race.
No she did not compete, in the early
Olympics not only did the athlete
win, but so did the owner of the
horse.
In fact, she didnt even get to watch
the race.

Winning!
Victors of the events
received a crown of olive
branches.
But more importantly,
they were regarded as
heroes in their cities.
In most polis, the
hero would be given a
parade, and a new
entrance would be made
in the citys wall. (except
for Sparta, WHY?)