The Olympic Games The Ancient Olympic games originated at the site of the cult of Zeus at Olympia in his sanctuary that was called the Altis. Athletes from all over Greece, and its provinces, would gather in Olympia in order to compete against each other for their own honor and that of their city states. The different events included running, leaping, wrestling, throwing the discus, hurling the javelin and boxing. The ancient Olympic games were highly political with Greek cities competing against each other for the glory and prestige of victory. The donation of gifts were encouraged and the great cities of ancient Greece made significant offerings which were stored in the vast treasuries at Olympia, most of which were situated on the main road through to the temple of Zeus. Olympia was a magnificent city, the main hub being the great Temple of Zeus at Olympia which housed the Colossal Statue of Zeus. The Olympic games always signalled a time of peace and truce providing leaders with the opportunity to meet together unarmed and in safety and to safeguard those travelling to and from Olympia. As the great festival approached Heralds proclaimed throughout Greece the "truce of God". The sheer numbers of people who flocked to Olympia also helped to establish it as one of the major centres for trade.
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Ancient City of Olympia - Artists impression
Zeus at Olympia - The City Outside the Sanctuary of Zeus, called the Altis, the city of Olympia emerged. It consisted of the many normal facilities offered by cities such as shops, trade centres, meeting places, eating houses, saunas, baths, swimming pools etc. But Olympia also included facilities that were necessary for hosting the ancient Olympic games in honor of Zeus:
The Stadium: The Stadium at Olympia seated 50,000 spectators
The track was 212.54 m (697.3 ft) long and 28.5 m (94 ft) wide
The Olympic Games originally contained one event called the 'stadion'
The 'stadion race' was a race over about 190 metres (620 ft) and our modern word 'stadium' is derived from this ancient foot race
The starting line was at the east end of the stadium and the finish line at the west of the stadium
The Hippodrome: The Hippodrome was a chariot racing stadium
The Gymnasium: The Gymnasium at Olympia consisted of a large open field and two colonades, or porticos, which were walkways covered by a roof structure supported by columns. The East Portico was exactly as long as the distance to be covered in the stadium race, and offered shelter from the elements if this were necessary
On the wall of the portico was inscribed the list of the honored Olympic Victors
The Palaestra: The Palaestra consisted of a large courtyard surrounded by rooms on all four sides where the boxers and wrestlers trained
The Hellanodikeion was the residence of the commissioners of the festival ( they were called the Hellanodikai)
The Bouleuterion: The Bouleuterion at Olympia was the building where the administration of the games took place and where the athletes took the Olympic Oath
The Leonidaion: The Leonidaion was a guest-house for distinguished visitors to Olympia
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