Periodization of the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. The mysterious and unpredictable history of the Olympic Games

Olympic Games - the most significant in the world sport competitions. They are held every four years. Every athlete dreams of winning these competitions. Origin Olympic Games belongs to ancient times. They were held as early as the seventh century BC. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? In which country were they first held?

The myth of the origin of the Olympic Games

IN ancient times these were the greatest national festivities. 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 Greeks believed that the birth 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 on the run, for which he was awarded an olive wreath. Subsequently, the winner insisted that a sporting event be held every five years. Such is the legend. Of course, there are other legends about the origin of the Olympic Games.

The historical sources confirming the holding of these festivities in ancient Greece include Homer's Iliad. This book mentions a chariot race organized by the inhabitants of Elis, the area 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 Ifit. During his reign, the interval between the competitions was already four years. Resuming the Olympic Games, Ifit declared a sacred truce. That is, during these festivities 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 areas more than once. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? Firstly, the holding of these competitions was associated with the names of the gods highly revered by the ancient Greeks. Secondly, the aforementioned truce was announced for a month, which had a special name - ἱερομηνία.

About the sports in the Olympic Games held by the Hellenes, scientists still have not come to a consensus. 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.

Members

Among the citizens in ancient Greece were those who were subjected to public dishonor and contempt by others, i.e. atymia. They could not become participants in competitions. Only respected Hellenes. Of course, the barbarians, who could only be spectators, did not take part in the ancient Olympic Games either. 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 be present if she was not a priestess of the goddess Demeter.

The number of 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 festivities, even deputies competed with each other in the abundance of offerings to mythical deities.

It is known from the history of the Olympic Games that these events had a rather 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. It went on for 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 stories 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 Olympiad. Later, the ancient Greeks added martial arts such as pankration, wrestling. It was said above that women did not have the right to take part in competitions. However, in 688 BC, special competitions were created for the most purposeful inhabitants in ancient Greece. the only 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 writings. Sculptors were sometimes ordered statues of winners after the end of the Games, lyrics in honor of the strongest and most dexterous composed laudatory songs.

Ellanodons

What were the names of the judges who watched the course 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, then nine, and later ten. Beginning in 368 BC, there were twelve Hellanodons. True, later the number of judges decreased. The Ellanodons wore a special purple robe.

How did the competition start? Athletes proved to spectators and judges that the previous months were devoted 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 the judges at the Olympic Gymnasium.

The order of the competition was determined by drawing lots. Then the herald publicly announced the name of the contestant. Where were the Olympic Games held?

Sanctuary of Ancient Greece

Where the Olympic Games were held is already clear from the name. Olympia is located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. This was once located temple-cultural complex and sacred grove of Zeus. On the territory of the ancient Greek sanctuary there were religious buildings, monuments, sports facilities and houses in which the 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 received about forty thousand spectators. For training, a gymnasium was used - a structure, treadmill which was equal in length to the one that was in the stadium itself. Another platform for preliminary preparations - palestra. It was a square building with a courtyard. Mostly athletes who competed in wrestling and fisticuffs trained here.

Leonidoyon, which served as a function, was built in the fifth century BC according to the project of a well-known architect in Ancient Greece. The huge building consisted of a courtyard surrounded by columns and included many rooms. olympic games played important role in the religious life of the Hellenes. That is why here the locals erected several temples and shrines. The buildings fell into disrepair after an earthquake that occurred in the sixth century. The hippodrome was finally destroyed during the 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 occurred after two millennia. 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 forerunners of the modern Olympic Games were the Olympia, held in the middle of the 19th century. But they, of course, were not so large-scale and had little in common with the competitions, which in our time take place every four years. French Pierre de Coubertin played a significant role in the revival of the Olympic Games. Why did the 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 structures. The work continued for more than ten years. At that time, everything related to Antiquity was popular in Europe. The desire to revive Olympic tradition many public and cultural figures became infected. At the same time, the greatest interest in the culture of holding sports in ancient Greece, the French showed, although the archaeological discoveries belonged to the Germans. This can be easily explained.

In 1871, the French army was defeated, which significantly undermined the patriotic spirit in society. Pierre de Coubertin believed that the reason was the poor physical preparation of the soldiers. He did not try to inspire his compatriots to fight against Germany and other European powers. The French public figure spoke a lot about the need to improve physical education, but also advocated overcoming national selfishness and establishing international understanding.

First Olympic Games: new time

In June 1894, a congress was held at the Sorbonne, at which Coubertin presented to the world community his thoughts on the need to revive the 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. Conduct Committee international competitions led by Demetrius Vikelas. Pierre de Coubertin took over as general secretary.

The 1896 Olympic Games were the largest sporting event. Greek statesmen put forward a proposal to hold the Olympic Games exclusively in their homeland. However, the committee decided otherwise. The venue for the Games changes every four years.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Olympic movement was not widely popular. This is partly due to the fact that at that time the World Exhibition was 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

Competitions were resumed on the model of ancient sports competitions. The modern Olympic Games unite athletes from all states; discrimination against individuals on religious, racial, 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? First of all, the names themselves. The frequency of the competitions was also borrowed. One of the purposes of the modern Olympic Games is to serve the world, to establish mutual understanding between countries. This is in tune with the ideas of the ancient Greeks about a temporary truce during the days of the competition. The Olympic fire and torch are the symbols of the Olympics, which, of course, originated in antiquity. Some terms and rules for holding 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 events 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 Olympics. Yes, the competition was different. In antiquity in the Olympic Games were attended not only by athletes, but also by poets.

Symbolism

Everyone knows what the symbol of the Olympic Games looks like. Five fastened rings in black, blue, red, yellow and green. However, few people know that these elements do not belong to any particular continent. sounds in Latin, translated into Russian means "faster, higher, stronger". The flag is a white cloth with rings. It has been raised 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 the development of the script mass events. Famous actors and singers strive to participate 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 hostilities, then in the twentieth century the opposite was true. Sports competitions were canceled due to armed conflicts. The games were not held in 1916, 1940, 1944. Russia has hosted the Olympics twice. In 1980 in Moscow and in 2014 in Sochi.

The history of the Olympic Games has 1169 years. Naturally, for more than a thousand years of existence, the program of games and the conditions for their conduct have not remained unchanged. But the main traditions were sacredly preserved for a long time. One of them is the timing of the games.

The Olympic holiday was always celebrated every four years, in a leap year, in the "sacred" month of Hieromenia, which began on the first full moon after the summer solstice, that is, in late June - early July. It was repeated every 1417 days, which made up one Olympiad. According to the Olympics, the ancient Greeks kept their own calendar.

As we see, The Olympic Games did not have a permanent exact date. Therefore, every time at the end of the spring of the first Olympic year special envoys were sent to all Greek states - heralds. They notified the people about the start time of the next Games, invited them to Olympia and proclaimed the traditional call: "Let there be light without murders and crimes, without wars and saber-rattling." And throughout Greece, based on the treaty of the legendary Ifit, a sacred truce was established - ekecheria. For the duration of the ekecheria, which lasted about three months, all wars ceased throughout Greece, and everyone who entered the territory of Elis was not supposed to have weapons. Ekeheria extended to the numerous guests who followed the games from all over Hellas, and to the participants in the competition themselves. The Greeks firmly believed that they were all guests of Zeus and were under his protection.

What was Olympia - the venue for the games? It was a large complex of religious and sports facilities. The heart of Olympia was a sacred grove - Altis. In the southwestern part of Altis stood the majestic temple of Zeus, built by the architect Libon in the 5th century BC. e. - a unique monument of ancient architecture. On the pediments of the temple, the figure of Apollo was installed and scenes from the 12 labors of Hercules were depicted. Inside the temple, a grandiose statue of Zeus sitting on the throne was installed - the creation of the brilliant sculptor Phidias, which went down in history as one of the wonders of the world. The height of the statue reached almost 13 meters. The throne was carved from cedar wood and decorated with carvings and precious stones. The face and hands of Zeus were made of ivory, hair - of pure gold. The wreath on his head was also gold. On right hand Zeus was the winged goddess of Victory Nike, in her left hand was a scepter crowned with an eagle. The sculpture towered in front of a marble basin filled with olive oil. This gave the statue a unique brilliance and grandeur. Levek P.A. Hellenistic world - M.: Nauka, 1989, p. 63.

To the north of the temple of Zeus was a hill surrounded by a fence - Pelopion - the sanctuary of Pelops. And behind the temple grew a sacred olive tree, planted, according to legend, by Hercules himself. On Altis Square there was another temple, smaller and more modest in appearance, built in honor of Zeus's wife Hera. There was a disk with the text of the agreement on ekecherii. At the end of Altis, on the terraces of Kronos Hill, there were many treasuries where the jewels brought as a gift to the gods were kept. Throughout Altis Square there were statues of Zeus, other gods and heroes of Greek mythology, as well as sculptures of the winners of the Olympic Games.

At the foot of Kronos Hill there was a stadium connected to Altis by a 32-meter crypt tunnel, through which the competitors and judges went to it. The stadium itself was a compacted and sanded area measuring approximately 214 × 30 m. The starting point for the runners was lined with stone slabs 80 cm wide. The slabs were cut across by two parallel small grooves at a distance of approximately 16 cm from each other, presumably to support the legs runners. At the ends of the stadium, small pillars about a meter high were dug into the ground at a distance of 124-141 cm from each other, apparently dividing the tracks at the start and finish points. There were no tribunes, spectators, and they were recruited up to 50 thousand people, were placed directly on the slopes of Kronos Hill in tents, tents, or even just on the ground. For the judges and the most distinguished guests, there was a special marble platform with chairs.

For equestrian competitions, one of the largest Greek hippodromes was built, the length of the racetrack of which was 1154 m. In the middle of the hippodrome there were stalls for teams, and between them was an altar to Poseidon, the patron saint of horse breeding. The hippodrome had an original starting device in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings and a dolphin. At the moment of launch, the eagle "flyed" up, and the dolphin "dived" down. In the far part of the hippodrome, on the most dangerous section of the chariot turn, another altar was built - to the evil horse demon Taraxippus ("horse horror"), where the charioteers participating in the races brought gifts to appease the demon. According to a manuscript found in Constantinople, the hippodrome adjoined the stadium, and the judges, sitting on a dais, had only to turn their chairs to be on the start line of horse races.

Among the sports facilities of Olympia were also the gymnasium and the palaestra, located along the Kladei. The gymnasium, with an area of ​​200x120 m, was surrounded by a colonnade. Inside, tracks for running, places for throwing, jumping and wrestling were arranged. Shady alleys were laid along, where athletes rested after exercise. The alleys were decorated with marble sculptures of the most famous Olympionists. There was also a building of the palaestra measuring 66.35x66.76 m. The palaestra had rooms for ball games, with bags for training fist fighters, rooms for massage, lubricating the body with oil and sprinkling with sand - this is what the athletes did before the exercises. There were baths and baths where they could take a warm or cool bath. From the south, a hotel for the accommodation of athletes arriving at the Games adjoined the gymnasium and the palestra. There were also other office and utility rooms.

Who were the participants in the Olympic Games? According to the rules established in Olympia, only free-born men of Hellenic origin could participate in the competitions, except for those who had ever been tried or guilty of dishonest acts. At first, only adult athletes participated in the competition, but from the 37th Olympiad (632 BC), this right was granted to young men.

Slaves could not compete. It is known that they were allowed only as riders in equestrian competitions, where the winner was not the rider, but the owner of the horse.

It was forbidden to participate in the holiday and foreigners - barbarians, as the Greeks called them.

The limitation of the participants to only free-born Greeks is explained by the fact that the Olympic Games were, for all their cult origin, a review, a test physical training Greek athlete warriors. Speaking in competitions, they demonstrated to the whole of Greece the power of the armies of their policies, the warriors of which could only be free Greeks. The participants of the Games acted as representatives of the policies, and their victory in the competition was perceived as a triumph of one or another policy. Naturally, neither slaves nor foreigners had anything to do with it.

But not all Greek citizens were given free birth to participate in the Games. A number of requirements for the participants, in fact, made it impossible for working poor Greeks - small landowners, merchants or artisans - to compete. By Olympic rules each athlete who expressed a desire to participate in the holiday had to prove that he had been systematically preparing for competitions for at least 10 months before the games. In addition, he was obliged to arrive in Elis a month before the start of the games and, under the guidance of gymnastics teachers - gymnasium arches, continue training. He had to take part in the sacrificial ceremonies, paying at his own expense all these expenses, including the round-trip travel, food, hotel accommodation, etc. Thus, participation in the Olympic competitions was associated with a long break from work and with considerable expenses, that was available only to wealthy citizens. Nevertheless, there are cases when there were poor people among the participants and winners of the Games. Their content was taken over by policies interested in being represented by talented athletes.

The rules of the Olympic Games did not allow women to compete. Moreover, under threat of execution, they were forbidden to attend them even as spectators. Only one - the priestess of the goddess Demeter - was allowed to attend the feast. The perpetrators of the violation were severely punished: they were thrown into the abyss from Mount Tipaion, which rose along the road to the sea. This taboo was a consequence of the patriarchal worship of Zeus, and no one dared to break it. Women could only exhibit teams or horses for equestrian competitions, but they themselves were not present. And yet, in the history of the Games, there is a case when this prohibition was violated. It happened at the Games of the 94th Olympiad in 404 BC. e. Callifateria, or, as many people called her, Ferenika, made her way to the stadium in the clothes of a gymnasium to see the performance of her son Peycedor, a participant in youth fistfighting competitions. When her son won the victory, she, unable to restrain her joy, rushed to congratulate him and was exposed. Severe punishment awaited her, but given that she was the daughter of the famous Olympian Diagoras, whose sons were also Olympic champions, she was spared her life. And so that similar situations would not arise in the future, the gymnasiums were also ordered to be naked at the stadium.

But the ban on women visiting Olympia was only valid for the duration of the games. Here, in Olympia, after their completion, in September, competitions were held for unmarried girls in honor of Zeus's wife Hera - the heroides. According to legend, they were founded by Hippodamia. The girls competed in running for a distance equal to 5/6 of the length Olympic Stadium. Petrov M.K. Antique culture. - M.: ROSSPEN, 1997, p. 252.

The leadership of the Olympic Games was entrusted to the judges - the Hellanodics. They were chosen by lot a year before the competition from among the most honorable citizens of Elis. For 10 months they passed special training by carefully studying all the rules related to the conduct of the Games. The duties of the Hellanodics were very responsible, and the rights were almost unlimited. All other organizers of the Games and their assistants were subordinate to them. Their word was decisive and final. They determined the procedure for organizing the holiday, monitored the preparation of competition sites, the selection of participants, kept a record of those wishing to participate in competitions and checked their right to do so. With the advent of the Games, they watched the course of the competition, the exact observance of the rules, and those guilty of conspiracy, bribery, causing deliberate mutilation were severely punished, imposing a fine or expelling them altogether. By the way, figurines of gods were built with “penalty money”, they were called zanami. Inscriptions were carved on the zan: “Olympic glory is obtained not with money, but with the speed of legs and strength.” The Hellanodiki awarded awards and presented them to the winners. The position of the Hellanodics was honorary, they wore purple clothes and occupied specially designated places in the stadium for them.

History of the Olympic Games

Once every four years, the Olympic Games are held - the so-called sports competitions in which the best athletes from different countries peace. Each of them dreams of becoming an Olympic champion and receiving a gold, silver or bronze medal as a reward. Almost 11 thousand athletes from over 200 countries of the world came to the 2016 Olympic competitions in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

Although these sports are mostly played by adults, some sports, as well as the history of the Olympic Games, can also be very exciting for children. And, probably, both children and adults would be interested to know when the Olympic Games appeared, how they got such a name, and also what types sports exercises were in the first competition. In addition, we will learn how the modern Olympic Games are held, and what their emblem means - five multi-colored rings.

The birthplace of the Olympic Games is Ancient Greece. The earliest historical records of the ancient Olympic Games were found on Greek marble columns engraved with the date 776 BC. However, it is known that sports in Greece took place much earlier than this date. Therefore, the history of the Olympics has been around for about 2800 years, and this, you see, is quite a lot.

Do you know who, according to history, became one of the first Olympic champions? - This was ordinary cook Korybos from the city of Elis, whose name is still engraved on one of those marble columns.

The history of the Olympic Games is rooted in the ancient city - Olympia, from where the name of this sports festival. This settlement is located in a very beautiful place - near Mount Kronos and on the banks of the Alpheus River, and it is here from ancient times to the present day that the ceremony of lighting the torch with the Olympic flame takes place, which is then relayed to the city of the Olympic Games.

You can try to find this place on a world map or in an atlas and at the same time check yourself - can I find Greece first, and then Olympia?

How were the Olympic Games in ancient times?

At first, only local residents took part in sports competitions, but then everyone liked it so much that people from all over Greece and its subordinate cities began to come here, as far as from the Black Sea itself. People got there as best they could - someone rode a horse, someone had a wagon, but most people went to the holiday on foot. The stadiums were always crowded with spectators - everyone really wanted to see sports competitions with their own eyes.

It is also interesting that in those days when in ancient Greece they were going to hold Olympic competitions, a truce was declared in all cities and all wars stopped for about a month. For ordinary people, it was a calm peaceful time, when they could take a break from everyday affairs and have fun.

For a whole 10 months, athletes trained at home, and then another month in Olympia, where experienced trainers helping them prepare for the competition in the best possible way. At the beginning of sports games, everyone took an oath, the participants - that they would compete honestly, and the judges - to judge fairly. Then the competition itself began, which lasted 5 days. The beginning of the Olympic Games was announced with the help of a silver trumpet, which was blown several times, inviting everyone to gather in the stadium.

What sports were at the Olympic Games in ancient times?

These were:

• running competitions;
• struggle;
• long jump;
• javelin and discus throw;
• hand-to-hand combat;
• chariot racing.

The best athletes were awarded an award - a laurel wreath or an olive branch, the champions solemnly returned to their hometown and were considered respected people until the end of their lives. Banquets were held in their honor, and sculptors made marble statues for them.

Unfortunately, in 394 AD, the Olympic Games were banned by the Roman emperor, who did not like such competitions very much.

Olympic Games today

The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, in the parent country of these games - Greece. You can even calculate how long the break was - from 394 to 1896 (it turns out 1502 years). And now, after so many years in our time, the birth of the Olympic Games became possible thanks to one famous French baron, his name was Pierre de Coubertin.

Pierre de Coubertin the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

This man really wanted to more people engaged in sports and proposed to resume the Olympic Games again. Since then, sports games have been held every four years, with the maximum preservation of the traditions of ancient times. But now the Olympic Games began to be divided into winter and summer, which alternate with each other.

Traditions and symbols of the Olympic Games

Olympic rings

Probably, each of us has seen the emblem of the Olympics - intertwined colored rings. They were chosen for a reason - each of the five rings means one of the continents:

• blue ring - a symbol of Europe,
• black - Africa,
• red - America,
• yellow - Asia,
• the green ring is the symbol of Australia.

And the fact that the rings are intertwined with each other means the unity and friendship of people on all these continents, despite the different skin colors.

olympic flag

The white flag with the Olympic emblem was chosen as the official flag of the Olympic Games. White is a symbol of peace in time Olympic competitions just like in ancient Greece. At each Olympics, the flag is used at the opening and closing of sports games, and then transferred to the city in which the next Olympics will take place four years later.

olympic fire

Even in ancient times, a tradition arose to light a fire during the Olympic Games, and it has survived to this day. It is very interesting to watch the ceremony of lighting the Olympic flame, it is reminiscent of an ancient Greek theatrical production.

It all starts in Olympia a few months before the start of the competition. For example, the fire for the Brazilian Olympic Games was lit in Greece back in April of this year.

In Greek Olympia, eleven girls gather, dressed in long white dresses, as they used to be in Ancient Greece, then one of them takes a mirror and, with the help of sunlight, lights a specially prepared torch. This is the fire that will burn throughout the entire period of the Olympic competition.

After the torch lights up, it is handed over to one of the best athletes, who will then carry it first through the cities of Greece, and then deliver it to the country in which the Olympic Games will be held. Further, the torch relay passes through the cities of the country and, finally, arrives at the place where sports competitions will be held.

A large bowl is installed in the stadium and a fire is lit in it with the torch that came from distant Greece. The fire in the bowl will burn until all sports are over, then it goes out, and this symbolizes the end of the Olympic Games.

Opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics

It is always a bright and colorful sight. Each country hosting the Olympic Games tries to surpass the previous one in this component, sparing no effort or means. For the production, the latest achievements of science and technology are used, innovative technologies and development. In addition, it uses a large number of people - volunteers. The most famous people countries: artists, composers, athletes, etc.

Awarding of winners and prize-winners

When the first Olympic Games were held, the winners received a laurel wreath as a reward. However modern champions are no longer awarded with laurel wreaths, but with medals: first place - Golden medal, second place - silver, and third - bronze.

It is very interesting to watch the competitions, but it is even more interesting to see how the champions are awarded. The winners go to a special pedestal with three steps, according to their places, they are awarded medals and raise the flags of the countries where these athletes came from.

That's the whole history of the Olympic Games, for children, I think, the above information will be interesting and useful

For the first time, the Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece around 776 BC. They got their name from the ancient Greek city of Olympia, which was held once every 4 years.

The Olympic Games were a competition in sports such as chariot riding, pentathlon, and martial arts. The Olympic Games were also of a religious nature, as they were dedicated to the supreme ancient Greek god Zeus, who was especially respected by the Greeks, being the god of thunder and lightning.

History of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece

At the time of the Olympic Games, the Greeks declared a temporary truce with countries with which they were involved in military conflicts. Each Olympic Games was a real holiday for the Greek people. The Olympics was a kind of ideological reflection of the cult of the body and the perfection of the spirit, which was actively promoted in ancient Greece.

Honors were given to the hero of the Olympics. There was a rather interesting tradition: the winner of the Olympiad solemnly entered the city on a chariot, but not through the main gate, but through an opening in the wall, which was closed immediately after that so as not to let the victorious spirit of the Olympiad out of the city. The winner was dressed in a red cloak, and on his head he had a wreath of laurel leaves, which was a symbol of victory.

The center of the Olympic competition was the holy circle of Zeus, which was a grove along the course of the Alpheus River. The Olympic Games were hosted by the Greeks more than three hundred times. According to Greek mythology, the stadium in Olympia, where the Olympic Games were held, was built by Hercules in honor of the victory of Zeus over his father Kronos.

olympic fire

An indispensable attribute of the Olympic Games was the Olympic flame. In ancient Greece, there was a cult of Prometheus, who stole the sacred fire from Olympus and gave it to people, for which he paid with years of incredible suffering. In honor of Prometheus, the ancient Greeks lit the Olympic flame. Also, in order to honor Prometheus, running competitions were organized, where each runner held a lit torch with fire in his hands. The winner of such a competition was honored to light a fire for sacrifice to Zeus, which was then considered a very important mission.

Behind the Olympic Games ancient greece watched not only by its inhabitants. For the period of the Games, a huge number of representatives of other states gathered in Olympia. Impressed by the Olympic Games, many of them tried to organize such competitions in their country, but, alas, they could not reach the scale of Olympia anywhere.

The Olympic Games ended with the advent of Christianity in the lands of Greece. Such events were considered nothing more than paganism. But, despite the fact that the Olympic Games were stopped at one time, this wonderful action did not sink into oblivion.

Revival of the Olympic Games

Since 1896, after a long break, the Olympic Games were held in Athens. The range of sports has expanded significantly. Since 1896, the Olympic Games have been held once every four years. During the First and Second World Wars, for obvious reasons, the games were not held.

The Olympic Games have become not only a kind of tribute to traditions, they still represent a bright, exciting spectacle, to which the attention of the world community is closely riveted. Cities for decades to come are fighting for the honor of hosting the Olympic Games, and for the athlete who participates in them, this is not only world fame, but also a well-deserved reward for years of work in sports.

Mankind took from Ancient Greece not only democracy, but also the Olympic Games. It is not surprising that it was in Hellas that one of the most popular competitions of our time was born, where the cult human body was on the high level. In addition, the spirit of competition attracted the Greeks, so the inhabitants of Hellas preferred to fight not on the battlefields, but in sports.

When did the Olympic Games begin?

Historians have established that the first competitions, known today as the Olympic Games, were held in Greece in the 8th century. BC. Their main motto was the expression "Faster, higher, stronger." These words fully reflected what the Greeks were striving for during the competition.

The Greeks loved sports, constantly kept themselves in shape, which was due to objective reasons. Hellas was subjected to raids by neighboring countries, the Greek policies fought among themselves. The Greeks who served in the army and navy were supposed to have excellent physical form. Gradually, the cult of a beautiful athletic body became widespread among the inhabitants of all Hellas. sports training were held in gymnasiums, classes in which were included in everyday education.

The participants of all competitions were only men. They were also spectators, women were not allowed into the stands. An exception was made only once for the priestess of the goddess Demeter, whose name was Hamina.

At the first Olympic Games, only athletes from the Peloponnese policy took part. Later, athletes from Corinth, Sparta and other cities of Greece, residents of Greek colonies in Central and Asia Minor, Sicily, and Phoenicia were allowed to participate in the competition. Gradually, athletes from other countries who were in Asia, Africa, and Europe began to take part in the Games.

In 394 AD, the Olympic Games were banned, since Greece was conquered by Rome, Christianity became widespread, which became the state religion in Hellas. At that time, the Games had already been held 293 times.

The Olympic Games were accompanied by national holidays that contributed to the development of Greek culture. On the day the competitions began, a common feast was held in the main temple of Zeus, which had the nickname Olympian. The temple stood on the Alfea River, and it was from here that the first competitions began, which turned into the Olympic Games. The exact start date of the Games is determined by a special list in which the organizers of the all-Greek sports competitions wrote down the names of the winners in the race. The oldest list begins with the date 776 BC. And this date is officially accepted in the history of counting Olympiads.

Thus, the Olympic Games were held every four years, when the first full moon came after the summer solstice.

Versions of the appearance of the Olympic Games

There are several options for why the Olympic Games appeared in Greece. The most popular are:

• The king of Phrygia named Pelops, who spent his childhood on Olympus, won the chariot competition. It was he who came up with the idea to hold such competitions regularly, once every four years.
• The son of Zeus, Hercules, organized a celebration for all the inhabitants of the kingdom of the ruler of Avgius, during which athletics competitions were held. And then decided that they become regular.
• Between Sparta and the rest of Hellas there was a constant struggle for dominance in the Peloponnesian peninsula. Once the rulers Liturgis (Sparta) and Ifit (the rest of Hellas) concluded a truce, during which the first Olympic Games were held. As the legend says, it was then that the place for the competition was established. The choice fell on the place of Olympia, which is located near Mount Kronos.

The terrain was suitable for competitions and suitable for spectators to watch sports games. Built for athletes sports complex, which was a real architectural masterpiece for its time. It included a hippodrome, a stadium, baths, gymnasiums, sports grounds, on which the Greeks played ball, wrestled, threw the discus.

Rules

The games were managed by the inhabitants of Hellas, who were supposed to organize competitions, keep order, and ensure the reception of guests and athletes. Their right was once taken away by the inhabitants of Pisa, but most of Greece did not accept this. And again, Hellas began to manage the Olympic Games. The traditions and rules of sports competitions include:

• Hellas sent out to all the countries of the ancient Greek world the so-called "messengers of the world", who announced that the holy month of the holiday in honor of Zeus had come. This meant that all wars in the Peloponnesian peninsula had to be stopped.
• For the states-policies that violated the agreement on non-war, or the charters of the Games, then the participants of the policy were excluded from the competition altogether.
• Sin had to be atoned for by repentance and the payment of a fine. The money went to the maintenance of the temple of Zeus.
• Private residents of a particular state who violated the Games' charter had a choice of who to pay the fine. It was possible to choose at your own discretion - the policy where a person lives permanently, the Olympic temple of Zeus.
• The competition was watched by special judges, who were called elladoniki.
• Athletes to the judges had to declare in advance that they wanted to participate in competitions, as well as provide evidence that they were not deprived of their civil rights.
• Athletes had to take an oath that they would compete honestly, they would not use tricks.
• Also, the participants of the competition confirmed under oath that they had been engaged in gymnasiums for 10 months, devoting most of their time to gymnastic exercises, improving the spirit and body.

Embassies from the states-policies that took part in the Games had to go to Olympia along a special sacred road. Then all the participants in the competition were required to gather at the altar of Zeus, which was located in an olive grove. Animals brought from their native countries were sacrificed to the Supreme God of Mount Olympus and all the Greeks. Embassies were required to bring sacrificial bowls with them.

Sacrificial fire was stacked with firewood from poplar, on top of which they were poured with the fat of dead animals. While the fire was blazing, the athletes and other participants had to sing. As soon as the fire went out, the competition began.

What did the ancient Greeks compete in?

The following sports were represented at the Olympic Games:

• Struggle.
• Fist fight.
• Horse racing.
• Running short and long distances.
• Pentathlon.

Games began with running, which was one of the most ancient types gymnastic exercises. The participants ran in batches, each of which consisted of four people. At the first Olympic Games, runners wore a belt, but then it was removed, and the athletes were left completely naked.

Simple running in competitions was quickly abandoned, making it more difficult. In particular, the athletes ran through the stage not once, but twice, and then eight in general. The “company” of running was wrestling, jumping, discus throwing and fisticuffs. Later than all appeared such a sport as chariot running. Its appearance was associated with the presence of rich Greeks at the competitions and the complication public life in Hellas itself.