The first Olympic Games: what were they like?

The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC in ancient Greece. They took place in the city of Olympia, where the strongest athletes of that time competed. The Olympics had a great religious significance, because they were held in honor of Zeus, the supreme god of the Greek pantheon.

The Olympic Games were held every four years with a total duration of five days. Only free men who represented the various polises of Greece could participate. Married women were forbidden to attend the competitions, with the exception of priestesses of the goddess Demeter.

The first Olympic Games consisted of a limited number of competitions compared to modern ones. It was running at various distances - from 200 meters to about 4,600 meters, wrestling, boxing, chariot racing and pentathlon. The latter included running, long jump, javelin, discus and wrestling.

Free men who plan to compete in the Olympics have been training for 10 months at the gymnasium in Elis with coaches.

The games began with a solemn ceremony that included sacrifices and oaths before a statue of Zeus, which symbolized honesty and respect for the laws.

The next three days were dedicated to competitions: the second day was running, the third - martial arts, the fourth - chariot races and pentathlon.

On the fifth, final day of the Olympics, Olympians were awarded and closing ceremonies were held.

The first Olympic Games were not only sports competitions, but also an important cultural event. A "sacred truce" was declared during the games, allowing all participants and spectators to travel safely to Olympia without fear of being attacked. The Games contributed to the strengthening of peace between the polis and provided an opportunity for cultural exchange.

During its existence until 393 AD, a total of 293 Olympic competitions were held. They became the prototype of the modern Olympic Games, which were revived in 1896.