Ancient Olympic Games

The Ancient Olympic Games were Religious and Athletic Festivals held every four years at the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, Greece . Competition was among Representatives of Several City-States and Kingdoms of Ancient Greece . These Games Featured Mainly Athletic but Also Combat Sports Such as the Wrestling and Pankration , Chariot and Horse Racing Events. It has been widely written that during the Games, all conflicts among the participating city-states were postponed until the Games were finished. This cessation of hostilities was Known as the Olympic Truce or peace. This idea is A Modern Myth Because the Greeks Never suspended Their Wars. The Truce did Allow Religious Pilgrims Those Who were traveling to Olympia to Pass through Warring Territories unmolested Because they were Protected by Zeus. The origin of the Olympics is Shrouded in Mystery and Legend? One of the Most popular myths identifies Heracles and His Father Zeus as the progenitors of the Games. According to Legend, IT was Heracles Who First called the Games "Olympic" and Established the Custom of Holding Them every four years.  the Myth That Continues after Heracles completed His twelve labors , he Built the Olympic Stadium as an Honor to Zeus. FOLLOWING its Completion, he walked in A Straight line for 200 Steps and called this A Distance " stadion ", Which later Became A Unit of Distance . Most widely accepted the Inception Date for the Ancient Olympics is 776 BC? This is based on Inscriptions, found at Olympia, the Listing of Winners A footrace held every four years Starting in 776 BC. The Ancient Games Featured Running Events, A Pentathlon (Consisting of A jumping Event, Discus and javelin throws, A Foot Race, and Wrestling), Boxing, Wrestling, Pankration , andEquestrian Events. Tradition has IT That Coroebus , A Cook from the City of Elis , was the First Olympic Champ.

By wikipedia