The ancient Olympic games represent a part of Ancient Greek history that the world continues to celebrate today. Every four years world nations gather at a specific site to compete in the Olympic games. This coming together of world nations symbolizes a time of peace and unity among the world. With every victory came honor, glory and pride for the winning athlete and their country. This paper will discuss the history and origin of the ancient Olympic games. Establishment of Games in Olympia The Olympic games pertain to a key event on the international level, which features winter, and summer sports and invites thousands of athletes for the purpose of participation in various competitions. Many studies give an account of the ancient Olympics, which, according to their observation, were held in Greece approximately 3,000 years back. By that time, there were three sporting festivals, which had gained remarkable significance as well as popularity. They included: the Nemean Games at Nemea; the Pythian games, held at Delphi; and the Isthmian Games, which were held near Corinth. Later, there were various similar festivals, which took place in around 150 cities, including Odessus, Alexandria, Rome, Antioch, and Naples. There have been various legends and myths connected with the background and origin of the ancient Olympic games. For instance, in the ancient Greece, it was a tradition and religious binding that all the festivals and celebrations were to be performed in honor of a particular divinity. Thus, these Olympic games and related festivals were conducted under the patronage of the Greek leader of the pantheon of gods, Zeus. It is said that the Olympia was marked by Zeus as his revered zone through bolt of thunder, which he flung on Mount Olympus from his throne. It is said that to mark that divine spot, a stunning altar of Zeus was created at Olympia, which is situated in the North from his spectacular temple. Then, there is another very remarkable myth regarding the Olympics with reference to the Hercules, the greatest Greek hero. It is said that in order to get freedom from the slavery to King Eurystheos of Argos, the hero had to complete twelve labors. Once, the Hercules was origin of olympic games with it, he celebrated the success by making a clearing in the orchard, laying out the borders of the Altis, and establishing the Olympic games in honor of Zeus. Establishment of the Olympic Calendar The Greeks had a different calendar for holding the Olympic games. They observed that 99 lunar months made eight solar years. Therefore, they established a new calendar, which was known as the octaeteris and was around 99 lunar months. They arranged the calendar in such a way that there were eight years in which each of the five years contained twelve months and the rest three years comprised of 13 months. The extra three months were inserted in the 3rd, 5th, and 8th years. For many years, the Greeks used games for many reasons. The official ancient games were started in. Men and boys were allowed to compete in the. Thus, the Olympic games are held according to the Olympic Calendar based on origin of olympic games four year Olympiad. A bronze discus had the terms of this truce carved upon it, and it was kept in Altis, in the Temple of Hera at Olympia. The Truce was mainly meant to deliver peace and harmony all across Greece. Before the beginning of the Olympic festivals, the news of the truce was spread through the three news bearers, decorated with garland of olive, and staff carriers, who went to every city of Greece. The sacred truce played an important role in the Olympics. Before the truce, the mainland Greece region was disturbed by the unrest and civil wars. Athletes in the Olympic games Until the 1970s, the Olympic athletes were not permitted to accept any sort of prizes or endorsements, and no professionals were permitted to enter into the competition of Olympic games. The professional athletes were thought to have undue gain over the participants who played the games as their hobby. The victor in the ancient Olympic was given first prize when the competition ended. The herald announced the name of the winner, and, a Greek Judge, Hellanodikis, would put a palm branch in his hands, and the audience threw flowers at him and cheered him. In order to symbolize victory, red ribbons were tied on his hands and head. The Hellanodikis would then, place the holy wreaths of olive tree, or kotinos, on the head of the winner5. It is believed that then, the greatest athlete was the man that. He had the idea of reviving the ancient Olympic Games on a world-wide basis. He had decided that education. Each one of the Olympic Games had specific rules and regulations that the athletes had to follow. In the ancient Olympic games, the participants were all the free male citizens of Greece, irrespective of their social status. Diagoras, a member of a royal family from Rhodes; Polymnistor, a shepherd; Orsippos, Alexander I, son of Amyndas and King of Macedonia; a general from Megara; and Democritus, a philosopher, all participated in the Olympics. The only people not allowed to participate in the ancient Olympics were the married women. The goddess of fertility, priestess of Demeter, was permitted an honored place next to the altar of Stadium. Athletic Events Divisions divided between men and boys would divide athletic events. According to the writings of Pausanias, the first Olympic event was the foot race. The athletes would sprint for one stade or the length of the stadium. This race was known as a two-stade race or two lengths of the stadium. Long distance races were added ranging from seven to twenty-four stades. This armor weighed about fifty — sixty pounds. The Pentathlon would be added as well. The Pentathlon included five different events. The events included discus, javelin, jumping, running and wrestling. This event is still included in todays Olympic games. Chariot racing would be one of the equestrian events the ancient Greeks included in the games. There were two and four horse chariot races. Also, the Olympics were politically. They offered financial help and gifts to the Olympia and were a source of inspiration for the other rich donors, who started doing the same. The religious importance of the Olympic games begun to decline, and it became more of a world-premiere athletic origin of olympic games than a religious festival. This era focused mainly on athletes instead of the divine spirits, and it was clear in the construction of facilities at Olympia. Thus, it was the end of the religious Olympics and the fall of Greece. It was the end of Greece, the beginning of the Roman period, and the beginning of the end of the Olympic games. The 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney was another example of Olympics organization which paid little attention to. The London 2012 Olympic Games faced to origin of olympic games previous lessons While the Olympic Games will begin in few months, it. However, the games were no longer holy festivals; they turned into origin of olympic games contests, which were extremely bloody and violent. Royal benefaction contributed to the improvement in the location of Olympia, and it befitted that of a Roman showpiece. Comprehensive repairs and modifications were made to the temple of Zeus; many other buildings were also modified according to the new construction trends. Moreover, athletic facilities and new monuments were also dedicated for the holding of Olympic games. Conclusion The ancient Olympic games were rich in culture and traditions. The origin of the Olympic games has enthralled and fascinated many students, historians, and archeologists in their quest to uncover the mysteries behind them. Throughout time, the ancient Olympic games have survived wars and natural disasters, they were briefly abolished but brought back to life, and now it is a worldwide-celebrated tradition. The Origin of the Olympics: Ancient Calendars and the Race Against.
