How did the Olympic Games begin?
- The Greeks loved sport and the Olympic Games were the biggest sporting event in the ancient calendar.
- The Olympic Games began over 2,700 years ago.
- The Games started in Olympia which is in south west Greece.
- Every four years, around 50,000 people came from all over the Greek world to watch and take part.
The games were also a religious festival, held in honour of Zeus, the king of the gods.
There were no gold, silver and bronze medals.
Winners were given a wreath of leaves and a hero's welcome back home.
Watch: What was it like to attend the Olympics?
A religious and sporting event
Before the games began, messengers were sent out to announce a 'sacred truce' or a peace.
This meant that any wars should be stopped so that people could travel safely to Olympia.
The entire games were dedicated to Zeus.
- The main event at the Olympics was a sacrifice.
- On the third day of the games, 100 oxen were killed and burnt on the Altar of Zeus.
Could women and girls go to the games?
Only men, boys and unmarried girls were allowed to go to the Olympic Games.
Married women were not allowed.
However, women could still own horses in the chariot races at the Olympics.
Princess Cynisca of Sparta was the first woman to win a race as a chariot owner against men.
Unmarried women had their own festival at Olympia every four years. This was called the Heraean Games.
It was held in honour of Hera, Zeus's wife.
Winners were given crowns of special olive branches, the same as men.
Activities
Activity 1: Olympic sport events
Click on the athletes below to find out more about some of the sporting events at the ancient games.
Activity 2: Quiz 鈥 Olympic Games
Game: The Argo Odyssey
Argo the dog is missing! He was last spotted at the Olympics.
Play the game to take part in the pentathlon and save the bronze discus from the master of thievery.
Bitesize Primary games. gameBitesize Primary games
Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.
More on Ancient Greece
Find out more by working through a topic
- count10 of 15
- count11 of 15
- count12 of 15
- count13 of 15