Gods and mortals lived in peace and harmony during the golden age. Humans of the silver age were insolent and less noble than their golden age counterparts. Finally, the humans of the bronze age were prone to violence and carried armor forged of bronze. The record for the greatest number of medals held by a woman belongs to Larisa Latynina , a Soviet artistic gymnast, with Ancient Greek athletics gave to modern Olympics the idea that the virtues behind athletic excellence are more important than athletic excellence itself: athletes winning by unfair means were considered harmful to society, and now the medals of those competing on performance-enhancing drugs are revoked.
The opportunity for athletes to display virtues like courage, perseverance, and self-sacrifice to large audiences, as well as their role in unifying communities and fans, has been a staple of the Olympics since antiquity.
In our pandemic times, the Tokyo Olympic Games are especially meaningful bearers of the virtues of athletic excellence, mutual respect, and solidarity. They remind us of our need to be inspired by those striving for greatness, and to celebrate them while being mindful of the fragility of human life itself.
The Olympics - then and now Share:. Office of the Dean August 5, Isonomia is the sense of fairness and equality that, in principle, all Ancient Olympic athletes had a right to.
Kleos was the word used to describe the honour and fame that an athlete obtained with his victory. It was also used to refer to the glory associated with epic heroes in classical mythology and honourable citizens. The Olympics probably developed as a funerary tradition. According to the Iliad XXIII , the mythological character Achilles was the first person to hold athletic games in honour of a deceased person his friend Patroclus.
Athens hosted the Panathenaic Games, which were considered a local festival rather than a Panhellenic i. Every effort has been made to contact copyright owners. If any have been inadvertently overlooked, the publishers will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity.
Except for third party materials and otherwise stated see terms and conditions , this content is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4. Sonya Nevin Roehampton University : Paragraphs one and three section 7 ; paragraph five section 2. Zahra Newby Warwick University : Map illustrating the geographical diversity of Ancient Olympic athletes and graph illustrating the number of recorded victors from the Ancient Olympics section 2.
Figure 5: right Staatliche museen — Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Antikensammlung, inv. Figure Image courtesy of www. Figure left made available under Creative Commons Attribution 2. Figure made available under Creative Commons Attribution 3. If reading this text has inspired you to learn more, you may be interested in joining the millions of people who discover our free learning resources and qualifications by visiting The Open University - www.
Printable page generated Saturday, 13 Nov , Use 'Print preview' to check the number of pages and printer settings. Print functionality varies between browsers. Printable page generated Saturday, 13 Nov , Learning outcomes After studying this course, you should be able to: show an awareness of the main similarities and differences between the modern Olympics and the Ancient Greek Games assess the ethical, philosophical and cultural importance of the Olympics to the Ancient Greek World understand the dual role of Olympia as a religious sanctuary and the location of the Ancient Olympic Games.
Figure 1 This medal from the Olympics illustrates the conscious associations between the revived Olympics and the Ancient Greek Games.
The obverse left shows the Athenian Acropolis and Parthenon. The reverse right shows Zeus holding a globe, upon which stands the goddess of victory Nike brandishing a wild olive branch. Long description. One of its uses may have been to calculate the relation between Olympiad s and the starting dates of other Ancient Greek athletic events.
Interactive presentation The following interactive presentation displays a series of literary quotes relative to the impact of the Olympics in Greek and Roman culture. This element is no longer supported and cannot be used. Interactive presentation This interactive presentation will give you an illustration of the geographical diversity of the Ancient Olympic athletes.
Figure 3 Graph illustrating the geographical diversity of Ancient Olympic athletes. Interactive presentation This interactive presentation shows how the Ancient Olympic Games evolved over time. Web links. The Panhellenic cycle. Note that July and August come before April and May.
This is because the Attic calendar started after the summer solstice. July — August was their first month, which was called Hekatombaion. Interactive presentation This interactive presentation will give you the locations and details of the Panhellenic , Panathenaic and Heraean Games. Animation 1 Ancient Greek athletes training for the Olympics Download this video clip. Please note that this animation contains nudity in order to give a more realistic representation of the Ancient Olympic games.
Ancient Greek athletes training for the Olympics. Interactive feature not available in single page view see it in standard view. How does that sound to you? Listen to this audio clip of an apoxyomenos in action. Figure 4 Before starting their training or competition, Ancient Greek athletes rubbed oil from a small jar an aryballos , like the one above onto their skin. After exercise, they washed the oil, dust and sweat off their bodies using a sponge, water and a curved metallic tool called a stlengis.
The modern gym and the Ancient gymnasion Figure 5 Left image: people training in a modern gym. Comment The Ancient Greek gymnasion was, in many ways, an inspiring and nurturing environment. Box 1 Highlight: glory in ancient thought — and modern Sport, rock and roll, Hollywood stardom, politics, even war, can all be ways of aiming at glory. Video: Roger Bannister Download this video clip.
Roger Bannister. Figure 6 Left: a Hellanodikes right holding a rhabdos whilst refereeing a wrestling match 6 th century BCE Panathenaic amphora , Metropolitan Museum, inv. Right: bases of Zanes statues in the Altis area of Olympia.
The statues that once stood on these bases were paid for by fines imposed on cheating athletes. View larger image. Figure 7 Model of the site of Olympia British Museum with the function of some its more important structures listed. Figure 8 Locations of Elis and Olympia.
Box 2 Highlight: Hercules and Pelops — founding heroes The foundation of the Olympic Games is usually attributed to one or both of the heroes Hercules and Pelops. Figure 9 Metope from the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, depicting Hercules and the Cretan bull details of the story can be found here.
Animation 2 tethrippon race Download this video clip. Tethrippon race. Comment It would seem that the differences are obvious; sleek, modern and highly engineered against rough, ancient and hand crafted, but there are similarities when we look more closely.
Jump The jump event halma , was similar to our modern version of the long jump, with some exceptions. Animation 3 jump using halteres Download this video clip. Jump using halteres. Figure 11 A pair of stone halteres from approximately 5 th century BCE. Discus Like the halma , the discus throw involved precision and rhythm as well as strength, and was probably conducted to the accompaniment of music.
Animation 4 discus throw Download this video clip. Discus throw. Foot races Running is the oldest known competition of the Ancient Olympics. Figure 12 Detail of the stadion at Olympia. The stone structure in the centre of the image is a balbis a strip of starting blocks that stretched across the surface of the stadion with a groove for the athletes to position their toes. Audio player: Listen to this clip of the hysplex in action.
Listen to this clip of the hysplex in action. Figure 13 The hysplex was a fence-like structure erected in front of the balbis. The design of the hysplex mechanism varied through time, but its function remained the same — acting as a physical barrier to reduce the number of false starts, which, according to Herodotus VIII. The release of the hysplex was the equivalent of the starter's pistol in our modern Olympics.
Javelin throw The level of success of a javelin throw was, like the discus throw and the halma , assessed on the basis of the distance achieved, but also the athlete's precision and rhythm. Animation 5 javelin throw Download this video clip. Javelin throw. Wrestling Wrestling pale was divided into two types in the pentathlon — orthia pale which translates as 'upright wrestling' and kato pale i.
Animation 6 wrestling Download this video clip. Figure 14 Scene from a 5 th century BCE Athenian red figure stamnos , showing an idealised sacrifice carried out by victorious athletes in the presence of the winged goddess Nike. British Museum inv. Animation 7 sacrifices and banquet Download this video clip. Sacrifices and banquet. Animation 8 hopplitodromos Download this video clip. Animation 9 boxing Download this video clip. Box 3 Highlight: the morality of violence in sport Two men square up to each other in front of an excited crowd.
Figure 15 A pyx fighter bleeding heavily at the nose. The scene decorates a black figure amphora from the 6 th century BCE. British Museum, inv. Right: two pankratiast s in an armlock decorating a red figure kylix from the 5 th century BCE British Museum, inv. Comment Modern Pro Wrestling attracts large crowds.
Animation 10 procession Download this video clip. Right: victorious athlete left with a stephanos , klados phoinikos and tainia , receiving his award from a Hellanodikes right on a red figure vase 6 th century BCE. Comment The differences between ancient and modern Olympic victory have a lot to do with the contrast between the economics of religious sacrifice and those of the commercial market. Figure 18 The charioteer of Delphi , an Ancient Greek bronze statue from the 5 th century BCE made to commemorate the victory of a tethrippon team in the Pythian Games.
Armand D'Angour. Download this audio clip. Ode for Athens Greek version audio. Ode for Athens English translation audio. English translation. Now as good luck has decreed that you welcome the games here on your soil once again, let us hail your glory with Pindaric music.
Men and women, come to the hearth of the world, gathering here from afar, from nations and lands beyond count, exultant in strength and physique, steadfast in purpose to prevail, and keen in the service of peace to compete with one another. There will be grateful reward for the ones who excel thanks to their marvellous skills, and with finest music let us sing their praises. May the sweet gift of success fall to each victor in turn, joy to the winners to whom God decrees it is their due — timely grace for victory justly attained.
Now, O mother-city of wisdom, famed throughout the length of Greece, receive with gladness this precious offering of words carefully wrought in the style of ancient times; and in finale, come let us hail you, with voices raised, at your height of fortune. Show transcript Hide transcript. Download this video clip. Animation produced by Steve Simons. Quiz Question 1 What did Theodosius I do?
Started the first truce of the Ancient Olympics. Banned the Olympics. Won four pentathlons in a row. Answer Theodosius I was a Roman emperor who adopted Christianity as the official religion of the empire. Question 2 A wrestling pale match was won by All of the above. Answer A pale match could be won either by throwing an opponent on his hip, shoulder or back, or forcing him to admit defeat.
Question 4 What did the Ancient Greeks call the Olympic marathon race? None of the above. Answer The Ancient Olympics did not have a marathon race. Question 5 Link the sporting equipment with their appropriate sporting events in the right column by dragging and dropping the phrases. Question 6 The Ancient Olympics were held in honour of:.
The governor of Elis. Spartan war heroes. Pallas Athena, the patron of Athens. Answer The Ancient Olympics had deep religious significance and were held in honour of the god Zeus.
Question 7 An Olympiad was:. The four-year cycle between each Olympic festival. The organiser of the Olympic festival. Any athlete who participated in the Olympics. Answer The Olympics became such an important cultural referent in Ancient Greece that long periods of time were often measured in Olympiads. Question 8 Link the Ancient Olympic values in the blue boxes with their correct modern equivalents. Answer Arete is the excellence that an Ancient Greek athlete was expected to strive for in his training and competitions.
Question 9 The precedents of the Olympic festival can be found in Mycenaean and Minoan Dionysiac celebrations. Answer The Olympics probably developed as a funerary tradition.
Question 10 Which of the following places was not a site of a Panhellenic game? Answer Athens hosted the Panathenaic Games, which were considered a local festival rather than a Panhellenic i. Glossary Acropolis An elevated citadel. The Acropolis of Athens is the site of several temples and monuments that were of great cultural significance to ancient Athenians. Aetolians An alliance of cities from the southern region of mainland Greece.
All his works have been lost. Alcibiades A prominent public figure of Athens. He was born in the 5 th century BCE to a wealthy family and developed a successful career in politics and the military. He oversaw a programe of military expansion that led to the creation of one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from the Ionian sea to the Himalaya. Altis The sacred grove of Olympia, where temples, halls, altars and the treasuries were located Apollo In Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Leto.
Apollo, as a god, had a broad range of associations, including medicine, the sun, truth, music and poetry. Arcadians Inhabitants of Arcadia, a central region of the Peloponnesian peninsula. Arete The excellence that an Ancient Greek athlete was expected to strive for in his training and competitions. Aristotle Ancient Greek philosopher, poet, mathematician, physicist, musician and biologist who lived in the 4 th century BCE. Aryballos A traditional small Ancient Greek container used to store olive oil or perfume.
Athenian democracy Political system developed in Athens in the late 6 th c. BCE whereby individuals voted in person during an assembly rather than appointing political representatives. Only adult male citizens were allowed to vote. Attic calendar One of the several calendars that existed in Ancient Greece. The Attic calendar was used in the region of Attica, which included the city of Athens. Augeias In Greek mythology, a king of Elis. Balbis a strip of starting blocks that stretched across the surface of the stadion with a groove for the athletes to position their toes.
Byzantine period the period of Roman history between the 4 th and 15 th centuries CE, when the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire was located at Constantinople, Greek was the primary language and Christianity was adopted as the official religion.
Byzantium would later become Constantinople and, in , Istanbul. It was a period of significant artistic, philosophical, scientific and political developments. Cleosthenes a legendary archon i. Pisa was subjugated by the town of Elis in the 6 th century BCE. Cotswold Games An annual celebration held in the Cotswolds England , including a combination of dance, spectacles and competitions such as shin kicking and tug of war.
Cretan bull A bull sent by Poseidon. King Minos thought the bull was too beautiful to sacrifice, so, in anger, Poseidon, made it rampage all over Crete. Hercules killed the bull by order of Eurystheus as one of his labours. Delphi A city in lower central Greece, where the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Delphic oracle were located.
Delphic oracle Part of the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The oracle was highly sacred and influential throughout the Greek world. It was believed to provide council and prophetic opinons. Diaulos A type of race in which athletes had to run the length of the stadion and back. Dolichos A long race of approximately 7. Epictetus Ancient Greek philosopher who lived between the 1 st and 2 nd centuries CE. No writings of Epictetus himself have survived, but his teachings were transcribed by one of his pupils, Arrian.
Hippolytus, Medea, Electra and the Bacchae are among his most famous plays. Gladiatorial contests In the Roman Republic and Empire, public spectacles consisting of fights that involved armed combatants.
These combatants could fight against each other, against wild animals or condemned criminals. Gymnasion A public location used for training, education, exercise and socialising. Gymnikoi agones Literally the naked games the sporting events in which naked athletes competed against each other.
The gymnikoi agones were held on the stadion and did not involve horses. Halma The Ancient Greek equivalent of the modern long jump. Hellanodikai The judges of the Ancient Olympic Games. They supervised events, participated in religious ceremonies, made sure that all rules were followed, and awarded prizes to the victors.
Hellenic Adjective relating to the Greek nation or identity. It followed the Classical period. Hera In Greek mythology, goddess of women and marriage. Hera was the wife of god Zeus. According to the legend, Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae, sent Hercules on a series of near impossible tasks, known as the Labours of Hercules.
Hermes In Greek mythology, the messenger god. He was patron of boundaries and guided human souls into the Underworld. His most significant work is The Histories , where he describes various cultures and geographical regions from the Mediterranean and Western Asia.
Hippikoi agones Literally, the equestrian games including horse and chariot races. They were held on the hippodrome.
Hippodameia Daughter of king Oinomaos. Pelops fell in love with Hippodameia, but Oinomaos would only give her hand to the suitor who could beat him in a chariot race. Hippodrome of Constantinople A large area in the city of Constantinople the capital of the Byzantine Empire , where sporting and social events were held. Homer One of the greatest epic poets of Ancient Greece. He is believed to be the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
He probably lived around the 8 th century BCE, although very little is known of his life. Hoplitodromos A race in which athletes dressed in military armour and ran two laps around the stadion. Iliad An epic poem attributed to Homer, describing the clashes between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles in the context of the Trojan War.
International Olympic Committee The international corporation that organises the modern Olympic Games. It was founded by Pierre de Coubertin. Iphitos A king of Elis who, according to legend, restored the Olympic Games after the Dorian invasion. Isonomia The sense of fairness and equality that, in principle, all Ancient Olympic athletes had a right to.
It was considered one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. Isthmus of Corinth The narrow stretch of land near the city of Corinth that connects the Peloponnese with the rest of mainland Greece to the North. Judaea A Roman province covering areas of modern Palestine and Israel.
Juvenal Roman poet who lived during the 1 st and 2 nd centuries CE. He is best known for his Satires , which provide a poignant critique of Roman society. Kalokagathia The classical principle of balance and harmony of body and mind. It was associated with a good upbringing and a noble character. Kant A German philosopher who lived in the 18 th century. He wrote on a wide range of subjects, including ethics, which he explores in detail in his text Critique of Practical Reason.
He allied with the Romans against the Macedonians and the Seleucid Empire, but later fell out of favour with the Romans when he was suspected of conspiring against them. He presided over the Olympics in Athens. Klados phoinikos A palm branch awarded to an Ancient Olympic victor.
Kleos The honour and fame that an athlete obtained with his victory. Kleos was also used to refer to the glory associated with epic heroes in classical mythology and honourable citizens.
Kylix A traditional Ancient Greek wine-drinking cup. It was broad and shallow and had a handle on either side. Lycurgus of Sparta A lawgiver of Sparta, who according to legend, made his people promise that they would obey his laws while he was away visiting the Delphic oracle and then committed suicide instead of returning so Spartans would remain bound to their promise for eternity.
Macedonians Ancient inhabitants of the alluvial plain around the rivers Haliacmon and lower Axius in the northeastern part of the Greek mainland. Metope In classical architecture, a decorative band made of stone, often carved and painted, usually found on the frieze of temples and other monumental buildings. Minoans A Bronze Age civilisation associated with the island of Crete. They flourished between the 27 th and 15 th centuries BCE and used a script known as Linear A, which has not been deciphered yet.
They participated in long distance trade and used a script known as Linear B. Nemea An ancient Greek site in the northeastern region of the Peloponnesian peninsula, controlled by the town of Cleonae.
Nike The Ancient Greek goddess of victory. She was represented as a winged female, flying over sports grounds and battlefields and rewarding victors with glory and fame.
Nikephoria Games Ancient games held in the town of Pergamon the modern city of Bergama in honour of the goddess Athena Nikephoros i. Athena the victory bringer. Oinomaos In Greek mythology a king of Elis, father of Hippodameia. He feared a prophecy that claimed he would be murdered by his son-in-law.
Olympiad Name given to the four-year cycle between each Ancient Olympic festival. Olympic charter The rules, guidelines and fundamental principles set by the Olympic Committee for the organisation of the modern Olympic Games. Pale Ancient Olympic wrestling. Pankratiast A pankration fighter. Pausanias Greek author who lived in the 2 nd century CE.
One of his most famous works is Description of Greece , in which he describes the Greek Isles from firsthand observations. Peloponnesian peninsula The southernmost region of mainland Greece, covering an area of some 8, square miles. It was named after the mythological character Pelops. By Darrin S. Joy - June 23, In anticipation of the triumphant return of this celebrated international event, read on to learn how the Olympics of ancient Greece differ from their modern counterparts.
Ancient Olympians competed in the nude. The athletes of yore exercised not only their bodies, but their minds, including discussions of philosophy in their efforts. The ancient game venue featured a plethora of temples dedicated to the ancient gods, including one that held one of the wonders of the world, a giant statue of Zeus made of wood, ivory and gold.
In the ancient Olympics, only Greek men could compete. The modern Olympics feature both men and women international athletes — good news for competitors such as champion beach volleyball player and USC Dornsife political science major Tina Graudina.
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