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<center><h1><font color="#b37300">The Olympic Festival in Antiquity</h1></font></center>
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<font color="#b37300"><em>"There are enough irksome and troublesome <br>
things in life; aren't things just as bad at <br>
the Olympic festival? Aren't you scorched <br>
there by the fierce heat? Aren't you crushed <br>
in the crowd? Isn't it difficult to freshen <br>
yourself up? Doesn't the rain soak you to <br>
the skin? Aren't you bothered by the noise, <br>
the din and other nuisances? But it seems to <br>
me that you are well able to bear and <br>
indeed gladly endure all these, when you <br>
think of the gripping spectacles that you <br>
will see."</em> Epictetus, <nobr>AD 1st</nobr></font>
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The Olympic festival was the most <A HREF="importance.html">important</A> and
ancient of all other Greek festivals.
It was the greater religious festival among others, dedicated to Zeus, the supreme
of all gods. The sanctuary of Olympia imposed its authority throughout the Greek
world, whereas soon the Olympic games became the symbol of Panhellenic unity.
<p>
The <A HREF="site_in_time.html">site</A> and the sanctuary of Olympia gradually
developed through time. From a
simple cult place, it evolved to an elaborated sanctuary adorned with temples,
the greatest among them being the <A HREF="zeus/zeus.html">Temple of Zeus</A>,
secular buildings and statues. New games were added in the festival and new athletic
facilities were built in order to facilitate the athletes who participated in
the games.
<p>
The <A HREF="olympiad.html">Olympic festival</A> was held once every four years
in the most hot days of the
summer. During the five days of the festivals, a number of sacrifices were
dedicated to the altars of the gods of Olympia, the most magnificent of all
being the sacrifice of one hundred cattle in front of Zeus' altar.
A series of athletic contests were held in the stadium, the hippodrome and
other areas of the site in front of thousands of spectators from all cities
of the known-Greek world.
The victors were crowned with a wreath of wild olive and enjoyed special
honors from their hometown.
<p>
During the Olympic festival, a number of <A HREF="games.html">athletic
contests</A> were held:
<ul>
<li>stadion race
<li>wrestling
<li>boxing
<li>pankration
<li>equestrian events
<li>pentathlon (jumping, running, javelin, discus, wrestling)
</ul>
<p>
Those who participated in the contests followed common
<A HREF="rules.html">rules and conventions</A>,
established for the better organization of the games.
First, all cities had to cease hostilities during the days of the games.
Secondly, all Greeks were allowed to participate, except barbarians,
women and slaves. Thirdly, a number of specific rules regulated the
training procedures and the performance of the games.
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<p>
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<a href="importance.html">Importance</a> |
<a href="site_in_time.html">Site Through Time</a> |
<a href="olympiad.html">Olympiad</a> |
<a href="games.html">Games</a> |
<a href="rules.html">Regulations</a> |
<a href="victors.html">Victors</a>
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<font size=2><B>Note</B>: Click on the images to see a brief description.
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