Today we were fortunate enough to spend some time at Olympia
– the site of the original Olympic Games. The sacred grove at Olympia took shape in the
10th and 9th century B.C. The first monumental buildings
were erected in the 7th and 6th century BC. It is an
amazing place and it is absolutely huge.
The games were already held at this site in pre-historic
times, but were reorganized in the 8th century B.C.. From that time
on, the games were held every 4 years. The athletes competing in the games had
to be true-born, free Greek men. Women
were not allowed to watch the Olympic Games.
When the pagan religions were suppressed, the institution of
the Olympic Games which had flourished for twelve centuries and made a
brilliant contribution to the history of sports, fell into disuse.
As well as being host to the Olympic Games, this was also
the site of many temples to the original Greek gods and goddesses, including
Zeus, Artemis, Demeter, Cybele and Hera. Although we did not see the actual
location, apparently, to this day, the Olympic torch begins its journey from
this site for every modern day Olympic Games.
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