|
Olympia Ancient Olympia is the home of the Olympic Games where the Olympic flame is lit and is carried by runners to the city where the games are held.The first official quadrennial Olympic Games began in 776 BC and by 676 BC they were open to all male Greeks, later they were also open to Romans. They were held in honour of Zeus, their founder and took place at the time of the first full moon in August and lasted five days. The original games included chariot and horse racing, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing, long jump, running and a type of boxing. Slaves and women were not allowed to enter the sanctuary at this time. The games were discontinued after 394 by the Emperor Theodosius I and in 426 Theodosius II had all the temples of Olympia destroyed. The modern Olympic Games were established in 1896. |
|||
|
|
|
|
