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The Olympic Games in antiquity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2004

H. W. PLEKET
H. W. PLEKET
Affiliation:
Willem de Zwijgerlaan 47, 2341 EH Oegstgeest, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
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Extract

The Olympic Games are an invention of the ancient Greeks. They were held in Olympia in a quadrennial rhythm, without interruption for ca. 1200 years. Compared with the modern Olympics, the ancient programme was small: running events (over several distances), the pentathlon, and the so-called ‘heavy’ events: wrestling, boxing and pankration. Various equestrian events (with and without chariots) completed the programme. This programme is discussed with the athletes, their social background and ideology. Although in ancient Olympia a wreath of olive-leaves – a forerunner of our modern gold medal – was the first and only prize, there was no amateurism in Greek athletics. Olympic athletes happily participated in highly rewarding money games both before and after the Olympics. Money was not despised; abuse of money, in the form of Wine, Women and Song was criticized, but some athletes, then as now, were unable to resist the temptations of life.

Type
Research Article
Information
European Review , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , July 2004 , pp. 401 - 413
Copyright
© Academia Europaea 2004

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