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FAQs

Why were the Games held in Olympia? ›

Why were they held at Olympia? Olympia was one of the oldest religious centers in the ancient Greek world. Since athletic contests were one way that the ancient Greeks honored their gods, it was logical to hold a recurring athletic competition at the site of a major temple.

ancient Olympic Games, quadrennial athletic event that was held in Olympia, Greece, from 776 bce to about 393 ce. It was part of a religious festival that honored Zeus, and the name Olympics was derived from Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods.

Following Theodosius' decree, pagan cults began to disappear gradually and the site of Olympia was abandoned. Earthquakes destroyed the edifices and their ruins disappeared gradually under the earth and sand. The Stadium at the site of the Ancient Olympic Games in Olympia in Greece.

Archaeological evidence suggests that small scale Olympic events (perhaps in Christian guise) were still being held secretly until Justinian's plague and two earthquakes devastated the place mid 6th century. Repeated floods ensured that the settlement was finally abandoned altogether in the early 7th Century.

The town was officially platted in 1850 by Sylvester, at which point it was given the name Olympia, as suggested by Isaac N. Ebey, a local resident in recognition of the view of the majestic Olympic mountains seen to the north on a clear day.

Yes. Although in ruins, ancient Olympia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the home of the original Olympics, and one of Greece's most atmospheric ancient sites. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia houses finds from the site, including a Praxiteles sculpture, and is one of the country's most important museums.

The ancient Olympic Games began in the year 776 BC, when Koroibos, a cook from the nearby city of Elis, won the stadion race, a foot race 600 feet long. The stadion track at Olympia is shown here.

The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses.

According to other myths, Zeus, the father of humanity, fought and defeated Cronus in a struggle for the throne of the gods. Finally, the well-known demigod Herakles is mentioned. He staged games in Olympia in honour of Zeus, because the latter had helped him conquer Elis when he went to war against Augeas.

The stadium of Olympia, situated east of the sacred Altis enclosure, was where the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera, were held. Before the sixth century BC the running events were held on a flat area along the treasuries' terrace, east of the great altar of Zeus.

Why did the city-states hold their Olympic Games? ›

Because each Greek city was a separate political state, the ancient Games were international. The Greeks themselves saw that the Olympics had special potential for the promotion of peace among their often warring city-states.