Ancient Olympia Ruins of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Greece Olympia (Greek: Ολυμπία Olympí'a or Ολύμπια Olýmpia, older transliterations, Olimpia, Olimbia), a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis, is known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times. Looking at the ruins as they stand silently among the low trees at Olympia, it is not hard to imagine how the Olympic Games cultivated the collective consciousness of the Hellenes. In ancient times, Greek men from all corners of the Mediterranean made the pilgrimage to Olympia to pay tribute to Zeus, to forge friendships and alliances, and to enjoy or compete in poetry, music, and athletic events. In the twentieth century, the role of Olympia in generating this spirit was somewhat revived with the introduction of the Olympic Torch relay, in which the torch is ignited several months before the opening celebration at the site of the ancient Olympics in Olympia. History Discovery Architecture Palaestra at Olympia Artifacts Olympia today Credits
History of the Olympics - Creating the Modern Olympic Games According to legend, the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles (the Roman Hercules), a son of Zeus. Yet the first Olympic Games for which we still have written records were held in 776 BCE (though it is generally believed that the Games had been going on for many years already). At this Olympic Games, a naked runner, Coroebus (a cook from Elis), won the sole event at the Olympics, the stade - a run of approximately 192 meters (210 yards). This made Coroebus the very first Olympic champion in history. The ancient Olympic Games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years. Pierre de Coubertin Proposes New Olympic Games Approximately 1500 years later, a young Frenchmen named Pierre de Coubertin began their revival. Coubertin's attempt to get France interested in sports was not met with enthusiasm. Let us export our oarsmen, our runners, our fencers into other lands. His speech did not inspire action. The Modern Olympic Games Are Founded Bibliography
Olympia: Site of Ancient Olympics Olympia is an ancient Greek sanctuary in the Peloponnese region in southern Greece where every four years the ancient Olympic games were held. Located at the intersection of two rivers, the Alpheus and the Kladeos, Olympia had a mix of religious and athletic facilities. It had a stadium, the first ever constructed, which could hold 40,000 people. Reproduction of an 1815 French poster with an artist's rendition of the statue of Zeus at Olympia.Credit: Public domain Among the religious features was one of the Seven Wonders of the World — a giant statue of Zeus made of wood, gold and ivory. With 40,000 people crammed to watch five days of games and religious celebrations Olympia offered a grand, and very crowded, spectacle. The writer Epictetus, who lived about 1,900 years ago, wrote that “And what do you do at Olympia? The games would be held for more than 1,000 years until, under pressure from Christian authorities, they stopped sometime in the fifth century A.D. Olympia’s origins Treasuries
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History of Ancient Olympia The sanctuary at Olympia (Ολυμπία) is positioned in a serene and fertile valley between the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers in western Peloponnese, in Elis. It was the host of the Olympic games for a thousand years in antiquity. Early habitation of the area dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE or earlier (Adronicos, 5). In these early times Kronos, father of Zeus, was worshiped on the Kronion hill that dominates the northern side of the sanctuary, while several sanctuaries dedicated to revered female deities like Aphrodite, Ourania, Eileithyia, and the Nymphs. The earliest known sanctuary and oracle was the Gaion which was dedicate to the goddess Gaia (Earth) and to her daughter Themis. The mythical hero Pelops was also venerated, perhaps since the earlier times--and his temenos named Pelopion is the oldest known monument in the Altis--along side Zeus whose cult became prominent at the end of the Mycenaean period. As the games grew in fame over time, so did the sanctuary at Olympia.
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Ancient Olympia The ancient stadium at Olympia. Olympia (Ολυμπία) is one of the most influential ancient Greek sanctuaries, located in western Peloponnese, in Elis. It is is positioned in a serene and rich valley at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers. The archaeological site is located withing walking distance of the modern village called Ancient Olympia and it includes ruins from Bronze Age to the Byzantine eras. Next: History of Olympia The very ancient Doric temple of Hera (Heraion) is located at the foot of the Kronios hill, in the holiest spot of the Altis (Andronicos, 32). Also see:
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Archaeological Site of Olympia Archaeological Site of Olympia The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. The Altis – the sanctuary to the gods – has one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. Site archéologique d'Olympie Le site d'Olympie, dans une vallée du Péloponnèse, fut habité dès la préhistoire, et le culte de Zeus s'y implanta dès le Xe siècle av. موقع أولمبيا الأثري كان موقع أولمبيا الموجود في واد في شبه جزيرة بيلوبونيز مأهولاً منذ فترة ما قبل التاريخ، وبدأت عبادة الإله زوس منذ القرن العاشر قبل الميلاد. source: UNESCO/ERI 奥林匹亚考古遗址 奥林匹亚遗址位于伯罗奔尼撒半岛的山谷，自史前时代以来就有人居住。 Археологические памятники Олимпии Эта долина, расположенная на полуострове Пелопоннес, была обитаема еще в доисторические времена. Sitio arqueológico de Olimpia Archeologisch gebied van Olympia De stad Olympia ligt in een vallei in de Peloponnesos. Source: unesco.nl Long Description
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Archaeological site of ancient Olympia Greece The situation of the sanctuary of olympia in a lush region irrigated by two rivers, the Alpheus and the Cladeus, led Pindar to call it the kallistos topos (most beautiful place) of Greece. The sacred grove of Zeus, or Altis as the ancients called it, was filled with plane trees and wild olives that were dedicated to Zeus the fother of all gods and mortals. Approaching the archeological site before you reach the museum parking area you will cross a bridge over the Cladeus river. The riverbed remains dry for most of the year now but in ancient times it was one of Olympiads vital rivers. You enter the sanctuary on the north side and proceed along the lenght of the Gymnasium which has not yet been uncovered in its entirety. The hill of Cronus at whose foot lay the sacred precinct, bound the site on the north. The southeast section of the site that contained the Hippodrome has been washed away by the waters of the Alpheus river.
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Fencing - London 2012 Olympics - Men's Individual Sabre