The history of the Olympic Games

The first Olympic Games were held in 776BC in Olympia, a special site dedicated to the god Zeus.

They were both a religious festival and sporting competition, bringing people together from across Greece.

Athletes competed to honour the gods, show their strength and win glory for their city-states. Each city-state was a small, independent community in Ancient Greece with its own laws and leaders.

There were no gold, silver and bronze medals. Winners were given a wreath of leaves and a hero's welcome back home. Athletes competed for the glory of their city and winners were seen as being favoured by the gods.

Important words on the history of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Games were held every four years from 776BC, a tradition that lasted for over 1000 years.

The Games honoured Zeus, the king of the gods.

City-states sent their best athletes and wars were paused at the festival with a 'sacred truce'. This peace agreement allowed athletes and spectators to travel safely to and from the Games.

At the very first Games in Olympia, there was only one running race in a single day.

Over time, more sports were added, such as wrestling and the pentathlon (an Olympic event made up of five sports: running, wrestling, long jump, discus and javelin).

Watch the video to learn more about what it was like to attend the Olympic Games in the time of Ancient Greece.

The Olympic Games were part of a religious festival in honour of Zeus at Olympia.

People made sacrifices at Zeus’ temple and altar during the festival.

At the same time, athletes competed in running races, wrestling, throwing and jumping events to show their strength and skill.

Competing well was seen as a way to honour the Gods and would bring pride to a city-state.

The festival mixed worship, community, celebration and sport, showing that religion and family life were closely linked in Ancient Greece.

Only freeborn Greek men could take part in the ancient Olympic Games. They came from city-states and colonies across the Ancient Greek world.

Competitors trained for months beforehand, often under strict rules, to show discipline and respect for the gods.

Winners didn't get money as a prize but were crowned with olive wreaths. These were made from olive branches from a sacred tree at Olympia. They were a symbol of honour and glory.

Women were not permitted to take part in the Games.

There were, however, separate festivals for women to take part in, such as the Heraean Games, held in honour of the goddess Hera. At these, women competed in foot races.

Historians disagree about whether women were allowed at the ancient Olympic Games.

Some say that no women were allowed to be there at all, except for the Priestess of Demeter. Other historians believe that married women were not allowed to watch or take part in the Games, but that young, unmarried girls and the Priestess of Demeter could watch.

However, historians do know that women could still own horses that took part in the chariot races at the Olympics.

Princess Cynisca of Sparta was the first female chariot owner to win a race at the event. Her chariot, pulled by a team of horses and driven by a man, competed against horse teams owned by men.

There was also a separate Games for women where some women could watch and compete in the events. It was called the Heraean Games. At these games women were also given olive wreaths when they won.

The Olympic Games brought together athletes from across the Ancient Greek world, helping to create a shared sense of identity and culture.

They honoured Zeus, strengthened religion’s importance in everyday Greek life and showed how sport and belief were closely linked.

The Games influenced ideas of fair competition, discipline and athletic excellence that continue to inspire modern sport.

They were brought back in modern times, with the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, directly inspired by the ancient tradition.

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answers to the questions. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

• Why do you think the Greeks had a 'sacred truce' so the Olympics could take place?

• Do you think it was fair that only free Greek men could compete? Why or why not?

• Why do you think athletes competed for olive wreaths instead of money?

• How are the modern Olympic Games similar to the ancient ones and how are they different?

Click on the athletes below to find out more about some of the sporting events at the ancient games.

Let's find out what you know about the history of the Olympic Games with this quiz.

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