The first games of ancient Greece have passed. Ancient Olympic Games. What did the ancient Greeks compete in?
Olympia is an ancient Greek settlement located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese, in the south of the Elis region. It was washed from the south by the Alpheus River, from the west by the Kladey River, and in the north was Mount Kronos. And only in the east stretched a lowland, flooded with the waters of Alpheus. It should be noted that often in popular literature the location of the Olympic Games Ancient Greece mistakenly identified with the Olympus mountain range, located in northern Greece, which, according to ancient Greek mythology, was the seat of the gods.
Already in the initial period of the Olympic Games, Olympia was recognized as the historical and cultural center of Ancient Greece with a large number of monuments, the construction of which dates back to the first half of the second millennium BC. Mount Kronos, the mound of Pelops, the altars of Zeus, Hercules, Gaia and Hippodamia were considered holy places. Among the monumental structures, the first was erected the temple of Hera, in which Zeus was also venerated, as well as various treasuries located in a row at the foot of Mount Kronos, representing the sacrifices of the Greek colonies. However, in 472 BC. During the heyday of Athenian democracy, it was decided to build a temple of Zeus in Olympia. The majestic temple (64.12 x 27.68 m) was erected by the architect Libo in 457 BC. e.
A few years later, the famous sculptor, foundry artist, Phidias (490-431 BC), who completed the work of the Athenian Acropolis, arrived at Olympia and began making a gold and ivory statue of Zeus, majestically seated on a throne. Unique sculptures were created, among which the most famous was the cult statue of the goddess Hera (beginning of the 6th century BC on the throne next to the standing Zeus, as well as the statue of Hermes, the patron saint of shepherds and travelers, created by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles in the temple of Hera, no less known statue of the flying Nike - the goddess of Victory Paionia.The total height of the statue together with the high triangular pedestal was 11.9 m. Nike statues were erected in honor of victories not only in war, but also in sports and artistic competitions (Andronicos, 1992).
From this time on, intensive development of Olympia began. A guest house, palaestra, gymnasium, stadium, hippodrome and other structures were built, allowing grandiose sporting competitions to be held with great success - Olympic Games.
The Palaestra (3rd century BC), located in the western part of Altis, was a structure measuring 66 x 66 m, surrounded by a colonnade, behind which there were various rooms and semi-open spaces. In the courtyard, athletes practiced combat sports: wrestling, pankration and fist fighting. Long jumps were also performed here. If the weather did not allow you to train fresh air, athletes trained in special halls of the palaestra. There were halls for practicing fist fighting and wrestling. The same halls were used by athletes who trained in pankration.
The palaestra housed a variety of equipment and equipment for the successful training of athletes: leather bags filled with sand, flour or wheat for fist fighting, boxing gloves, throwing discs, poles, weights for jumping, baskets for sand of the highest quality, vessels with oil , special wells for a mixture of oil and mud used by wrestlers, etc.
There was a strict technology for preparing surfaces on the grounds and in the halls for wrestling, pankration and boxing. Only the highest quality sand and soil were used here.
The surface was thoroughly cleaned, loosened, compacted, and watered. This work required a lot of time and effort and was usually carried out by the practitioners themselves.
The gymnasium, built next to the palaestra, at the end of the 2nd century. BC. was an open space surrounded by a colonnade. The size of the gymnasium corresponded to the stadium. The central part was a portico 219.5 m long and 11.3 m wide. It was here that a path equal to olympic distance- one classical stage. Its length, due to the unequal step size of the judges measuring it in Greece, ranged from 175 to 192.27 m. The largest, or classic, stage was in Olympia. According to legend, Hercules himself measured it. This is where the word "stadium" comes from. Adjacent to the gymnasium were living quarters in which athletes lived during the period of preparation and participation in the Olympic Games.
Through the efforts of German archaeologists, the Olympic Stadium was completely recreated in its original form. Few traces remained of the first stadium; the second stadium was located in approximately the same place as the first. In the middle of the 4th century. BC. the stadium moved 75 m to the east. The stadium, built by the architect Leonid, had an arena measuring 213 x 29 m and seats for spectators (about 50 thousand) on the hills of Mount Kronos, which served as a natural grandstand.
For horse racing, a hippodrome measuring 730 x 66 m was built. Official guests of the Olympic Games settled in guest house, next to it there were baths.
Olympia was glorified by poets and speakers, and myths and legends were composed about it. Pindar dedicated many of his odes to Olympia and the Games. “There is no other star more noble than the Sun, giving so much warmth and shine in the desert of the sky. So we glorify those that are nobler of all games - the Olympic Games,” the poet wrote.
When and where did the Olympic Games appear? And who is the founder of the Olympic Games, you will learn from this article.
Brief history of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games originated in Ancient Greece, because the inherent athleticism of the Greeks became the reason for the emergence of sports games. The founder of the Olympic Games is King Oenomaus, who organized sport games for those who wanted to take his daughter Hippodamia as a wife. According to legend, he was predicted that the cause of death would be his son-in-law. Therefore, young people who won certain competitions died. Only the cunning Pelops overtook Oenomaus in chariots. So much so that the king broke his neck and died. The prediction came true, and Pelops, having become king, established the organization of the Olympic Games in Olympia every 4 years.
At Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games, it is believed that the first competition took place in 776 BC. The name of the one who was the first winner of the games in Ancient Greece – Koreb from Elis, who won the race.
Olympic Games in ancient Greece sports
For the first 13 games, the only sport in which the participants competed was running. Afterwards there was the pentathlon. It included running, javelin throwing, long jump, discus throwing, and wrestling. A little later they added a chariot race and fist fight.
The modern program of the Olympic Games includes 7 winter and 28 summer species sports, that is, 15 and 41 disciplines, respectively. It all depends on the season.
Once the Romans annexed Greece to Rome, the number of nationalities that could take part in the games increased. Gladiator fights were added to the competition program. But in 394 AD, Emperor Theodosius I, a fan of Christianity, canceled the Olympic Games, considering them entertainment for pagans.
The Olympic Games have sunk into oblivion for 15 centuries. The first to take a step towards reviving forgotten competitions was the Benedictine monk Bernard de Montfaucon. He was interested in the history and culture of Ancient Greece and insisted that excavations should be carried out in the place where the famous Olympia had once been.
In 1766, Richard Chandler found the ruins of unknown ancient structures near Mount Kronos. It was part of the temple wall. In 1824, Lord Stanhof, an archaeologist, began excavations on the banks of the Alpheus. In 1828, the baton of excavations at Olympia was picked up by the French, and in 1875 by the Germans.
Pierre de Coubertin, a French statesman, insisted that the Olympic Games must be resumed. And in 1896, the first revived Olympic Games were held in Athens, which are still popular today.
We hope that from this article you learned where and when the Olympic Games originated.
From 776 BC. e. The Olympic Games began to be held regularly in Greece. These festivities were the most important element social life of the Hellenes. The winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece became the most famous and honorable citizens of their polis. Perhaps this is why every young man dreamed of taking part in the agony, in order to demonstrate to everyone his strength and valor. During such celebrations, an atmosphere of justice was created in which a person could demonstrate his skills, merits and become the best among the first.
Historical reference
Plato emphasized the crucial role of sports in public life. The wide popularity of games was associated with the peculiarities of Greek society, where the most important regulator of people’s behavior was the assessment of a person by the team, his censure or encouragement.
It should be noted that great importance The Olympic Games are emphasized by the fact that during their holding in Greece, even wars stopped. Citizens of not only mainland Hellas, but also the colonies came to the festivities. Writers and poets also gathered here to read their works to thousands of listeners.
The first ancient Greek Olympic Games lasted only 1 day, and later - no less than 5. The competition was led by a special society of honorary citizens. Under their supervision, the participants of the games trained for about a month before the start of the agony.
History of the introduction of the Olympic Games
According to legend, the most famous competitions in the world date back to Homeric times. The Greeks themselves told the story of the origin of these festivals in different ways. Some said that the competition was introduced by the supreme god after his victory over Cronus. Others claimed that the father of the festivities was the son of Zeus - the ancient Greek hero Hercules.
Revived the Olympic Games in 776 BC. e. King Iphit. At that time, Greece plunged into a period of long wars and civil strife. In this regard, Ifit decided to turn to the gods. He went to Delphi to the famous oracle. The Pythia, proclaiming the will of the gods, said that in order to save the people from wars and diseases, it was necessary to revive the Olympic Games. After this, the king invited the Spartan ruler Lycurgus to his place. They signed a truce agreement, which should be concluded for the duration of the Olympic Games. Iphitus proclaimed Olympia a holy city, where it was forbidden to enter with weapons.
Competitors
In order to understand who the winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece really were, it is necessary to understand who could take part in these celebrations. According to the established rules, only free men of Hellenic origin were allowed to compete, except those who had ever been convicted or guilty of wrongdoing. In addition, slaves and foreigners could not participate in the agony. Women were also not allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. Moreover, they were even forbidden to attend them as spectators. The only exception was the priestess of the temple
Interesting facts about the participants of the Olympic Games
Not all freeborn Greeks could participate in the festivities. Thus, there were a number of rules that deprived working poor Hellenes (small landowners, artisans, merchants) of the right to compete at the Olympic Games. A citizen who decided to participate in the festival had to prove that he had been persistently preparing for the competition for at least 10 months. He was required to train for 30 days under the guidance of the game referees. The Greek also had to participate in sacrificial ceremonies. At the same time, he paid all expenses himself. Thus, participation in the Olympic Games was associated with a long separation from the main activity and the expenditure of considerable money, so it was available only to fairly wealthy citizens.
Program in antiquity
During the first 13 Olympics, the program included only running one stage, which was approximately 192.27 m.
Hippic (equestrian) agony was held for the first time at the 25th Olympic Games. At first, chariots drawn by 4 horses took part in them. To measure the distance at the hippodrome there was one large stage (950 m). It is interesting that the winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece in equestrian competitions were chariot owners, not agonists.
An important part of the festival was the pentathlon. This program included running, wrestling, javelin and discus throwing. The athletes jumped into a pit of sea sand from a small height. At the same time, they held in their hands a special load - galtas. Discus throwing originates from military history Greeks The weight of the gun was approximately 3-6 kg. The disk was made of stone, iron, bronze, tin and wood. Jumping and throwing competitions were usually accompanied by playing the flute, and the athletes' movements were in harmony with musical chords.
The Olympic Games are the largest pan-Greek competitions, held every 4 years. The participants in these agons were divided into three age groups: young men, beardless and men. Interestingly, Pausanias listed 18 types of competitions for adults and 6 for boys. According to tradition, the best athlete in any category was proclaimed immediately after the end of the competition in the stadium, and the awards were held on the last day of the festivities.
The winner of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece was called an Olympian. An important part of these celebrations was the honoring of the best athletes. This ceremony consisted of several parts and continued in the athlete’s homeland.
Thus, we looked at how the winner of the Olympic Games was called in Ancient Greece. Next we will talk about how the most outstanding athletes were revered.
How and what were the winners of the Olympic Games awarded in Ancient Greece?
The awards ceremony for the athletes took place in two stages. Immediately after the end of the competition, the herald announced the name and city of the winner to the entire stadium. After this, dolichodromes (messengers) were sent to his policy to tell all the residents the good news. On the last day of the games, the winner of the Olympic Games and the city from which he came from were also announced at the altar of Zeus. The athlete climbed onto a bronze tripod, accompanied by music. Then the winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece were awarded a wreath. After this ceremony, sacrifices were carried out in honor of the athletes in the Temple of Zeus.
Honoring the winner in the native polis
The winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece were no less solemnly revered in their native policies. The athlete entered the city through the main gate in the presence of all honorary citizens. In some policies, the Olympian was included in native land after a short time it was made specifically so that Olympic victory entered and never left the city.
The outstanding athlete was revered in the main local temple. Also, the wreath of the winner of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece was transferred here for storage. In some cases, statues were erected and coins were minted in honor of Olympians. In addition, they were invited to serve as commanders and were entrusted with the founding of new colonies. After the death of the Olympian, he could be revered as a god in his native city.
How were the winners of several competitions honored?
Athletes who achieved several victories at the Olympic Games were given special honors. The names of such Olympians were engraved on the slabs of the sacred grove of Altis. From 540 BC e. here they were allowed to erect a statue in honor of their own victory. Poets dedicated special odes - epinikias - to outstanding athletes. Also, the names of the winners of the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece were entered into special tables - bassicalia.
The most famous Olympic winners
A person who is little familiar with the history of these festivals may have a question: who was the first winner of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece? According to legend, a certain Koreb was first honored. He was a simple cook, but managed to win the running competition. It was the name Koreb that was first on the ancient Greek list of Olympians.
One of the most famous runners is Astilos from Croton. He won eight times at different distances in four Olympic Games. Leoniod managed to surpass Astilos with This athlete won twelve times in running at four Olympic Games.
Later, running was included in the pentathlon system. The best athlete was determined here in this way: the losers are eliminated after each competition. It should be noted that the first winner of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece in the pentathlon system was the Spartan Lampis.
Most Outstanding Victories
The most famous champion Diagoras from the island of Rhodes became a fistfighter. He was the founder of a whole dynasty of athletes. In the middle of the 5th century. BC e. two of his sons became winners in the Olympic Games (the first in fist fighting, the second in martial arts). According to legend, immediately after the award ceremony they approached their father and put wreaths on his head, lifted him onto their shoulders and carried him around the field. One of the spectators asked Diagoras what he expected from life, but the Spartan no longer heard the question. His heart stopped in a moment of triumph.
Milo from Croton is considered the most famous wrestler in the history of the Olympic Games. At the age of 14 he became the winner in youth competitions. Once in the adult category, Milon became the best wrestler 5 times.
Evagoras from Sparta and Cimon the Elder from Athens also earned fame throughout the world, who, together with their four horses, won three times in the hippos competitions.
Summing up
Thus, the Olympic Games date back to 776 BC. e., when Koreb was first awarded a wreath. These festivals played a huge role in the life of the Greeks. Not only residents of mainland Hellas, but also the colonies came to watch the competitions of outstanding athletes. Participants in the celebrations, in turn, spent a long time preparing for the competition. They not only worked hard physically, but also invested large sums of money in organizing sacrifices. As we have already said, the winner of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece was called an Olympian. Together with the laurel wreath, he received great honor and recognition not only in his native city, but throughout Hellas.
The spirit of competition was fully demonstrated during various sports competitions. It should be noted that these competitions were not simple entertainment that had nothing to do with religious rituals. Agons were part of the festivities and were of a sacred nature.
Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University
Institute of Youth Policy and Social Work
Abstract on the topic
"Olympic Games in Ancient Greece"
Completed by: Student of group SR-42
Makhotina Ekaterina
Checked:
Zheltikova Natalya Yurievna
Novosibirsk, 2010
Introduction.
1. History of the Olympic Games
2. Rules, conditions, traditions of the Olympic Games in ancient times.
3. Program of the Olympic Games. Olympionists.
4. Tradition of lighting the Olympic flame
5. The significance of the Olympic Games.
6. The influence of the Olympic Games on religion and politics.
7. Study of Ancient Olympia.
Conclusion
List of used literature
Introduction.
All ancient Greek holidays and sports games are associated with the gods. The famous Olympic Games that Ancient Greece gave to the world were not the only ones in the era of antiquity. The origins of the first Olympiads are lost in antiquity, but in 776 BC. e. The name of the winner in the race was written on a marble plaque for the first time, so this year is considered to be the beginning of the historical period of the Olympic Games. The site of the Olympic festivities was the sacred grove of Altis in Olympia. The place was chosen very well. All buildings, both early and later - temples, treasuries, stadium, hippodrome - were erected in a flat valley framed by soft hills covered with dense greenery. Nature in Olympia seems to be imbued with the spirit of peace and prosperity that was established during the Olympic Games. In the Temple of Olympian Zeus there was a statue of the god created by the sculptor Phidias, which was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Thousands of spectators flocked to the sacred grove. In addition to the spectacle of athletic competitions, trade deals were concluded here, public performances by poets and musicians, and exhibitions of works by sculptors and artists took place. Here new laws and treaties were announced, and important documents were discussed. From the moment the holy month of games was declared, all warring parties ceased hostilities. It is known that only men from among free citizens took part in sports games, who were never brought to trial and never caught in dishonorable acts. Women were not allowed even as spectators on pain of death. They also had their own competitions - in running. Thanks to numerous texts and paintings on ceramics, we now know what sports existed in Ancient Greece: wrestling, runners' competitions at various distances, throwing a javelin, hammer, discus, swimming, fist fighting, running in full armor, chariot competitions, lifting weights, pankratium (combination of boxing and wrestling). Athletes competed only naked to demonstrate the beauty of their bodies. This clearly demonstrated the physicality of ancient Greek culture. The cult of the body was so great that nudity did not evoke feelings of modesty. The rules prohibited killing an opponent, resorting to illegal techniques, and arguing with the judges. The winners were also awarded solemnly. The winners of the games (Olympians) were awarded wreaths made from wild plums that grew near the temple of Zeus. On the last day of the holiday, a solemn procession was held in honor of the winners, and the Olympian’s return to his hometown turned into an unworthy triumph. The whole city came out to meet him, the city authorities held a feast, and a statue of the winner was erected in the square: he became a national hero and was respected throughout his life.
In addition to the Olympic Games, Ancient Greece hosted the Pythian Games in Delphi, dedicated to Apollo, the Isthmian Games in honor of the god Poseidon, and the Nemean Games, glorifying Zeus. The games gave religious sanction to physical virtues - “arete”, and the moral right to rule over people. In them, as nowhere else, such a feature of ancient Greek culture as competitiveness was manifested.
History of Olympic Games
The Olympic Games are the oldest and most popular sporting events in Ancient Greece. For the first time (although, according to legend, this attempt is the third) they took place in 776 BC. e. and were part of a festival dedicated to Zeus. The Greeks considered the year of the first Olympics to be very important for themselves, and therefore the ancient Greek calendar began with it.
Greece owes its second attempt to resume the Olympic Games to Hercules. The sixth labor of Hercules was the cleansing of the “Augean stables” - the farmyard of Augeas. Augeas was the son of Helios and king of Elis. His wealth was innumerable, and especially his herds. Three hundred white-footed bulls, two hundred red as purple, twelve snow-white as swans, and one shining like a star. It is not surprising that the stables of the royal house were very neglected. And it was this garbage dump that Hercules suggested to Augeas to cleanse a tenth of his herds in one day. Augeas agreed to such a lucrative offer and, as it turned out, made a mistake. Hercules directed the flows of two Elis rivers - Alpheus and Peneus - to the barnyard, and then simply restored the walls destroyed by water. Augeas did not want to part with his beloved animals and drove Hercules out. A few years later, Hercules invaded Elis with a large army and killed Augeas. In honor of the victory, Hercules made traditional sacrifices to the gods, planted a grove of olives (later Olympians were crowned with wreaths from the branches of this particular grove) in honor of Pallas Athena and established the Olympic Games.
Since 660 BC. e. - that is, from the 30th games - all residents of mainland Greece were allowed to participate in the competition, and after 10 games (40 years) residents of the Greek colonies began to take part in the Olympics. The Olympic Games gained wide popularity, and the winners could count on a generous prize, honors and national fame. The Olympionist was “crowned” with a textbook olive wreath (the branches of which were cut with a golden knife by a boy, the son of free and living parents) and was awarded a palm branch. Plutarch wrote that the Athenian who won the Olympic Games received 500 drachmas as a reward, which was a very considerable amount. Also, sculptures were erected in honor of the winning athletes - sometimes in Olympia itself at the sanctuary of Zeus, sometimes in the hero’s homeland. However, according to Pliny, these sculptures were similar only to the three-time winners of the Olympics, while the rest could only be content with an idealistic image in their honor. The Motherland did not remain indebted to its heroes - they usually received a number of economic and political privileges, including exemption from all state duties, and in some cases were even deified. In addition to the listed awards, Olympians could count on free lunches at the city government until the end of their days, which was more pleasant and useful for them than a statue that also had no actual resemblance. Copper statues of Zeus (called zanami in the Doric dialect), dedicated to disgraced participants (for example, those convicted of fraud, bribery, etc.) of the games, were made with money received in the form of fines and placed on the sides of the road leading to the Olympic stadium. The Greeks were very fond of material reminders of events.
From the 15th Olympiad - 720 BC. e., Sparta, which had the character of a military-organized clan union, becomes the dominant state in terms of the number of winners. From the 15th to the 50th Olympiad (720-576 BC), the names of 71 winners were preserved, of which 36 were Spartans. For example, a certain Spartan Hyposthepus is known. For the first time he won the wrestling among youths, later moving to the “adult” category, and there he won over the course of five Olympics. In other words, he competed successfully in wrestling competitions for 24 years.
During the era of Greek colonization, the influence of Olympia gradually spread to Asia Minor and the adjacent islands. At the 23rd Olympics, Onomast from Smyrna won the fist fight, who also developed the rules for the competition of fist fighters. At the 46th Olympiad, the winner in the race was Polymnestor of Menestos, about whom they say that he overtook a hare in the pasture.
The Olympics began to be numbered only 600 years after they began. In the 2nd century. BC e. the astronomer and geographer from Alexandria Eratosthenes developed an accurate chronological table in which he dated all political and cultural events known to him by the Olympics (that is, by the four-year periods between the games), relying on the list of Olympic winners he compiled.
The highest flowering of the Olympic Games occurred in the 6th-4th centuries. BC e. - The Olympics are becoming a pan-Greek holiday, and Olympia is the center of the entire sports world. Among other things, the Greco-Persian wars of the first half of the 6th century. BC e. managed to unite (albeit briefly) the Greek cities that were warring among themselves, and the Olympics were the personification of this unity.
Rules, conditions, traditions of the Olympic Games in ancient times.
The games were subject to certain conditions. So, the Olympics took place once every four years at the first full moon after the summer turn of the sun (usually at the end of July - beginning of August). Back in the spring, spondophoric messengers were sent in all directions announcing the date of the upcoming Olympiad, appointed by a special committee. Managers and judges of games from 572 BC. e. There were 10 Hellanodics elected from the citizens of the Elis region. A strict condition for holding the Olympiad was a general truce (the so-called divine peace - ekeheria) - no military action and no capital punishment. Ekeheria lasted two months, and violation of it was punishable by a large fine. So, in 420 BC. e. independent Spartans fought in Elis with the participation of thousands of hoplites, for which they were fined 200 drachmas for each warrior. If they refused to pay, they were suspended from participating in the games.
Athletes who trained for a year arrived in Olympia within a month, where they participated in qualifying events and continued training in a special gymnasium, which was a courtyard surrounded by a colonnade with paths for God, areas for throwing, wrestling, etc., a palaestra and living quarters for athletes .
The composition of participants and spectators was also regulated by special rules. From 776 to 632 BC e. Only free citizens of Greek cities no older than a certain age who had not committed a crime or sacrilege had the right to compete at the Olympiads. Later, the Romans were also allowed to participate if they could prove with the help of cleverly constructed genealogies that they were descendants of purebred Greeks. From 632 BC e. (37th Olympiad) competitions between boys are also being introduced. Barbarians and slaves (under the supervision of their masters) were allowed only as spectators. Women (excluding the priestesses of Demeter) did not even have the right to attend competitions, although girls were not prohibited from doing so. A very severe punishment awaited those who disobeyed - they were thrown from the mountain (probably an allusion to the unfortunate Myrtil). However, the execution of such punishment has not been recorded. In the history of the ancient Olympic Games, there is only one known case when a woman was still present at the competition. In 404 BC. e. a certain Greek woman named Callipateira, who trained her own son, the fist fighter Eucles of Rhodes, came to the stadium dressed in a man's cloak-himatium. In a fit of joy from the victory of her son, Callipateira, having made a careless move, revealed to the world her primary sexual characteristics. The deception was revealed. But there are no rules without exceptions: since her father, three brothers, nephew and son were Olympic winners, the judges still spared her punishment. However, the following condition was added to the rules of the Olympics - from now on, the coaches of the participating athletes had to be present at the stadium naked.
For almost three hundred years, the Olympic Games lasted three days. The first and last days were devoted to solemn ceremonies, processions and sacrifices; only one day was allocated for competitions.
Women had their own athletic games - Herai, dedicated to the cult of Hera. The founder of the Olympic Games for girls was considered Hippodamia - the wife of Pelops, if you remember, who did not get it so easily for him. The Games were held every four years, regardless of the Olympic Games. Women ran with their hair down in short tunics. The Olympic stadium was provided for them to run, only the distance was shortened. The winners were crowned with wreaths of olive branches and received part of the cow sacrificed to Hera. They could also erect a statue with the name carved on the pedestal.
A little more about the competitions themselves, which were somewhat unique. For example, wrestling competitions (pyugme, pankratii, pale) may seem quite barbaric compared to modern ones. Instead of boxing gloves, the hands of the athletes were wrapped in gimants - special leather belts (later with metal plaques), and the wrestlers themselves were generously lubricated with olive oil, which, you see, made the fight more difficult. You were allowed to hit your opponent as you wish, but since blows to the body did not matter, the target was the opponent’s head. It was only forbidden to bite and hit the ears and eyes. The concept of “weight category” did not exist. The fight could last quite a long time; defeat was considered to be falling to the ground or asking for mercy. It happened that the loser paid with his life, not to mention numerous injuries. If both wrestlers ended up on the ground, the judges counted it as a draw. A fighter who touched the ground three times and stopped fighting was called a triadden.
Olympic Games - the most significant in the world sport competitions. They are held every four years. Every athlete dreams of winning these competitions. The origins of the Olympic Games date back to ancient times. They were carried out as early as the seventh century BC. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? In which country were they held for the first time?
The myth of the birth of the Olympic Games
In ancient times these were the greatest national festivals. Who is the founder of the ancient Olympic Games is unknown. Myths and legends played a significant role in the social and cultural life of the ancient Greeks. The Hellenes believed that the origin of the Olympic Games dates back to the time of Kronos, the son of the first god Uranus. In a competition between mythical heroes, Hercules won the race, for which he was awarded an olive wreath. Subsequently, the winner insisted that sports competitions be held every five years. Such is the legend. There are, of course, other legends about the origins of the Olympic Games.
Historical sources confirming the holding of these festivals in Ancient Greece include Homer's Iliad. This book mentions a chariot race organized by the inhabitants of Elis, the region in the Peloponnese where Olympia was located.
Holy Truce
A mere mortal who played a significant role in the development of the ancient Greek Olympic Games was King Iphitus. During his reign, the interval between competitions was already four years. Having resumed the Olympic Games, Iphit declared a sacred truce. That is, during these celebrations it was impossible to wage war. And not only in Elis, but also in other parts of Hellas.
Elis was considered a sacred place. It was impossible to wage war with her. True, later the Eleans themselves invaded neighboring regions more than once. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? Firstly, the holding of these competitions was associated with names of the gods who highly revered by the ancient Greeks. Secondly, the aforementioned truce was declared for a month, which had a special name - ἱερομηνία.
Scientists have still not come to a consensus about the types of sports in the Olympic Games held by the Hellenes. There is an opinion that initially athletes competed only in running. Later, wrestling and chariot racing were added to the sports in the Olympic Games.
Participants
Among the citizens in Ancient Greece there were those who were subjected to public dishonor and contempt of others, that is, atymia. They could not become participants in competitions. Only dear Hellenes. Of course, barbarians, who could only be spectators, did not take part in the ancient Olympic Games. An exception was made only in favor of the Romans. At the ancient Greek Olympic Games, a woman did not even have the right to attend unless she was a priestess of the goddess Demeter.
The number of both spectators and participants was huge. If at the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece (776 BC) competitions were held only in running, then later other sports appeared. And over time, poets and artists got the opportunity to compete in their skills. During the celebrations, even deputies competed with each other in the abundance of offerings to mythical deities.
From the history of the Olympic Games it is known that these events had quite an important social and cultural significance. Deals were made between merchants, artists and poets introduced the public to their creations.
Competitions were held on the first full moon after the summer solstice. Lasted five days. A certain part of the time was devoted to rituals with sacrifices and a public feast.
Types of competitions
The history of the Olympic Games, as already mentioned, is full of tales and legends. However, there is reliable information regarding the types of competitions. At the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, athletes competed in running. This sport was represented by the following varieties:
- Distance running.
- Double run.
- Long run.
- Running in full armor.
The first fist fight took place at the 23rd Olympics. Later, the ancient Greeks added martial arts such as pankration, wrestling. It was said above that women had no right to take part in competitions. However, in 688 BC, special competitions were created for the most purposeful inhabitants in Ancient Greece. The only one a sport in which they could compete, there were horse races.
In the fourth century BC, a competition between trumpeters and heralds was added to the program of the Olympic Games - the Hellenes believed that aesthetic pleasure and sport had a logical connection. Artists exhibited their works on the market square. Poets and writers, as mentioned above, read their works. Sometimes, after the completion of the Games, sculptors were commissioned to create statues of the winners, and lyricists composed songs of praise in honor of the strongest and most dexterous.
Ellanodon
What were the names of the judges who observed the progress of the competition and awarded awards to the winners? Ellanodons were appointed by lot. The judges not only presented the award, but also managed the organization of the entire event. At the first Olympic Games there were only two of them, then nine, and even later ten. Beginning in 368 BC, there were twelve Hellanodons. However, later the number of judges was reduced. Ellanodons wore special purple clothing.
How did the competition begin? The athletes proved to the spectators and judges that they had devoted the previous months exclusively to preliminary preparation. They took an oath in front of the statue of the main ancient Greek god - Zeus. Relatives of those wishing to compete - fathers and brothers - also took an oath. A month before the competition, the athletes demonstrated their skills in front of judges in the Olympic Gymnasium.
The order of the competition was determined by drawing lots. Then the herald publicly announced the name of the person entering the competition. Where were the Olympic Games held?
Sanctuary of Ancient Greece
Where the Olympic Games took place is clear from the name. Olympia is located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. This was once located here temple-cultural complex and sacred grove of Zeus. On the territory of the ancient Greek sanctuary there were religious buildings, monuments, athletic facilities and the houses in which participants and guests lived. This place was the center of Greek art until the fourth century BC. Later they were burned by order of Theodosius II.
The Olympic Stadium was built gradually. He became the first in Ancient Greece. In the fifth century BC this stadium hosted about forty thousand spectators. For training, a gymnasium was used - a structure treadmill which was equal in length to the one located in the stadium itself. Another platform for preliminary preparation - palaestra. It was a square building with a courtyard. Mostly athletes who competed in wrestling and fist fighting trained here.
Leonidoion, which performed the functions, was built in the fifth century BC according to the design of a famous architect in Ancient Greece. The huge building consisted of a courtyard surrounded by columns and included many rooms. The Olympic Games played an important role in the religious life of the Hellenes. Therefore, local residents erected several temples and sanctuaries here. The structures fell into disrepair after an earthquake that occurred in the sixth century. The racetrack was finally destroyed during a flood.
The last Olympic Games in Ancient Greece took place in 394. Banned by Emperor Theodosius. In the Christian era, these events were regarded as pagan. The revival of the Olympic Games took place two millennia later. Although already in the 17th century, competitions reminiscent of the Olympic ones were held repeatedly in England, France and Greece.
Revival of ancient Greek traditions
The predecessors of the modern Olympic Games were the Olympias, held in the mid-19th century. But they, of course, were not so large-scale and had little in common with the competitions, which in our time are held once every four years. The French Pierre de Coubertin played a significant role in the revival of the Olympic Games. Why did Europeans suddenly remember the traditions of the ancient Greeks?
In the middle of the 17th century, archaeological research was carried out in Olympia, as a result of which scientists discovered the remains of temple buildings. The work continued for more than ten years. At this time, everything related to Antiquity was popular in Europe. The desire to revive olympic traditions Many public and cultural figures became infected. At the same time, the French showed the greatest interest in the culture of sports competitions in Ancient Greece, although the archaeological discoveries belonged to the Germans. This can be easily explained.
In 1871, the French army suffered a defeat, which significantly undermined the patriotic spirit in society. Pierre de Coubertin believed that the reason was the weak physical training soldier. He did not try to inspire his countrymen to fight Germany and other European powers. A French public figure spoke a lot about the need to improve physical culture, but also advocated for overcoming national egoism and establishing international understanding.
The first Olympic Games: modern times
In June 1894, a congress was held at the Sorbonne, at which Coubertin presented to the world community his thoughts on the need for revival ancient Greek traditions. His ideas were supported. On the last day of the congress, it was decided to hold the Olympic Games in two years. They were supposed to take place in Athens. Committee for conducting international competitions headed by Demetrius Vikelas. Pierre de Coubertin took over as secretary general.
The 1896 Olympic Games were the largest sporting event. Statesmen Greece has put forward a proposal to hold the Olympic Games exclusively in their homeland. However, the committee decided otherwise. The location of the Games changes every four years.
At the beginning of the 20th century olympic movement was not widely popular. This is partly due to the fact that at that time the World Exhibition was being held in Paris. Some historians believe that the Olympic ideas were saved thanks to the intermediate games of 1906, held again in Athens.
Differences between modern Games and ancient Greek ones
The competitions were resumed on the model of the ancient ones sports competitions. The modern Olympic Games unite athletes from all countries; discrimination against individuals on religious, racial or political grounds is not allowed. This, perhaps, is the main difference between the modern Games and the ancient Greek ones.
What did the modern Olympic Games borrow from the ancient Greek ones? First of all, the names themselves. The frequency of competitions was also borrowed. One of the purposes of the modern Olympic Games is to serve peace and establish mutual understanding between countries. This is consistent with the ideas of the ancient Greeks about a temporary truce during the days of the competition. The Olympic flame and torch are symbols of the Olympics, which arose, of course, in antiquity. Some terms and rules for conducting competitions were also borrowed from the ancient Greeks.
There are, of course, several significant differences between modern Games and antique. The ancient Greeks held sports competitions exclusively in Olympia. Today the Games are organized each time in a different city. In Ancient Greece there was no such thing as the Winter Olympic Games. And the competitions were different. In antiquity in the Olympic Not only athletes, but also poets participated in the games.
Symbolism
Everyone knows what the symbol of the Olympic Games looks like. Five fastened rings of black, blue, red, yellow and green. However, few people know that these elements do not belong to any specific continent. sounds in Latin, translated into Russian means “faster, higher, stronger.” The flag is a white panel with the image of rings. It has been lifted at every Games since 1920.
Both the opening and closing of the Games are accompanied by a grandiose, colorful ceremony. The best organizers are involved in developing the scenario mass events. Famous actors and singers strive to take part in this spectacle. The broadcast of this international event attracts tens of millions of viewers around the world to television screens.
If the ancient Greeks believed that in honor of the Olympic Games it was worth suspending any military action, then in the twentieth century the opposite happened. Sports competitions canceled due to armed conflicts. The games were not held in 1916, 1940, 1944. The Olympics have been held in Russia twice. In 1980 in Moscow and in 2014 in Sochi.
