While the precise origins of the Olympic Games will never be known, it appears they began in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC. The games lasted until 393 AD when they were halted because of religious reasons.

The games were as much a religious and cultural happening as they were sports. In fact, they began as a tribute to the Greek god Zeus. The games were generally held every four years, and were also used to spread the Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean area. The location of the games didn’t rotate as it does today. It remained in Olympia.

Structure of the Games

Initially, only free men who spoke the Greek language could participate in the games. Armed with this qualification, the athletes had to take an oath while standing before a statue of Zeus. In the oath, the participant stated that they had been in training for the competition for at least ten months.

The games began as a one day event but eventually expanded to a five day extravaganza. The winners were crowned with an olive wreath and their feats were celebrated throughout the area.

Olympic Game Events

The games in the ancient Olympic Games were races. In the beginning there was just one race measuring between 196 and 263 yards. In 724 BC, another race called the diaulos was introduced. This was a single lap of the stadium or about 437 yards. In 720 BC, still another race called the dolichos got added. The length of this race was about three miles. The route wound its way through the Olympic grounds but started and finished at the main stadium.

Boxing, wrestling and chariot racing were added along the way. A pentathlon which combined the long jump, javelin throw and discus throw, was also eventually added to the list of games.

A particularly brutal spectacle, boxing had no rest periods. Nor, did it have any rules against striking a man when he was down. Matches continued until a participant either surrendered or died. However, if a person died, he automatically became the winner!