The ancient origins of the Olympics - Armand D'Angour

Summary

The Olympic Games, originating from a religious festival in ancient Greece honoring Zeus, have evolved into the world's premier sporting event. Beginning in 776 BC with a single event, the two hundred yard dash, the games expanded to include a variety of sports, music, and poetry contests. The tradition of competing nude was established by Orsippus of Megara in 720 BC. The games were halted in 391 AD by the Roman Emperor Theodosius but were revived in 1896, now uniting thousands of athletes and billions of fans under the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece as part of a religious festival honoring Zeus.
• 📅 The first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BC, marking the beginning of the Greek calendar system based on four-year cycles called olympiads.
• 🏃 The initial Olympic event was a 200-yard dash, and over time, more competitions like boxing and chariot racing were added.
• 🎭 Besides sports, the ancient Olympics included contests in music, singing, and poetry, reflecting a broader definition of excellence.
• 📚 The Olympic Games are documented in classical literature such as Homer's 'Iliad' and Virgil's 'Aeneid'.
• 🥇 Coroebus, a local baker, won the first Olympic championship in 776 BC.
• 🩲 Orsippus of Megara, an Olympic victor in 720 BC, is known for tearing away his loincloth to compete unencumbered, starting the tradition of competing in the nude.
• 🚫 The Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympics in 391 AD due to their pagan origins.
• 🔄 The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, 1500 years after their discontinuation, starting again in Athens, Greece.
• 🌐 Today, the Summer and Winter Olympics are global events that unite thousands of athletes and billions of fans under the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger).

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the Olympic Games?

The Olympic Games began as part of a religious festival honoring the Greek god Zeus in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC.

Why were the Olympic Games initially held in four-year increments called olympiads?

The inception date of the Olympic Games in 776 BC became the basis for the Greeks' earliest calendar, marking time in four-year increments known as olympiads.

What were some of the non-sporting contests held during the Ancient Greek Olympics?

In addition to sporting events, contests were held for music, singing, and poetry during the Ancient Greek Olympics.

Which classical literary works can one read about the Ancient Greek Olympics?

One can read about the Ancient Greek Olympics in classical literary works such as Homer's 'Iliad' and Virgil's 'Aeneid'.

What was the only event featured in the first thirteen Ancient Greek Olympic Games?

The first thirteen Ancient Greek Olympic Games featured just one event, the two hundred yard dash.

What new contests were introduced over time in the Ancient Greek Olympics?

Over time, new contests like boxing, chariot and mule racing, and a footrace where competitors wore a full suit of armor were introduced.

What is the pentathlon and how did it influence the Olympic Games?

The pentathlon was a combination of running, jumping, wrestling, javelin throwing, and discus hurling events that inspired world-class competition.

What was the pankration and why was it significant in the Ancient Greek Olympics?

The pankration was a no holds barred fight where only biting and eye-gouging were prohibited, ensuring the toughest men were victorious and signifying the peak of physical prowess.

Who was the first Olympic champion and in what year did they win?

Coroebus, a local baker, became the very first Olympic champion in 776 BC.

Which Olympic victor is known for tearing away his loincloth to race unimpeded, and what year did this occur?

Orsippus of Megara tore away his loincloth in 720 BC to race unimpeded, thus inaugurating the Ancient Greek tradition of competing in the nude.

Why were the Olympic Games discontinued in 391 AD?

The Olympic Games were discontinued in 391 AD because the Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius banned pagan practices.

When and where were the modern Olympic Games first held after their revival?

The modern Olympic Games were first held in 1896 in Athens, Greece.

What is the motto of the Olympic Games and what does it represent?

The motto of the Olympic Games is 'Citius, Altius, Fortius', which translates to 'Faster, Higher, Stronger', representing the pursuit of excellence in sports.