Share | Olympics Art  Olympic Years Athens 1896 London 1908 Stockholm 1912 Antwerp 1920 Paris 1924 Amsterdam 1928 Los Angeles 1932 Berlin 1936 London 1948 Helsinki 1952 Rome 1960 Tokyo 1964 Mexico City 1968 Munich 1972 Sydney 2000 Beijing 2008  Olympic Sports Baseball Basketball Bicycling Boxing Diving Fencing Gymnastics Soccer Swimming Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling More Olympics Posters  Features The Ancient Olympic Games Olympic Mythology The Athletes The Sports Events Did You Know?	The Ancient Olympic Games
	Crowning the Winner with Laurel in Ancient Greek Olympic Games Giclee Print 12 in. x 16 in. Buy at AllPosters.com Framed   Mounted According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such “pagan cults” be banned. OLYMPIA Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty. Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games. THE GAMES AND RELIGION The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion. VICTORY CEREMONIES The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory. The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.