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• The Ancient Olympic Games predated the Olympics of modern times. The ancient games were held from 776 BC to 393 AD.MSN Encarta: Ancient Olympic Games

• Fast Facts

  1. Dates: 776 BC to 393 ADMSN Encarta: Ancient Olympic Games
  2. Held at OlympiaPerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?
  3. Olympics were used as a way for ancient Greeks to honor their godsPerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?
  4. Open to any free-born GreekPerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?
  5. Women were not allowed to competePerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?
  6. Winners received olive leaves and a statue of themselves
  7. Cheaters were finedPerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?

• About the Games

  The Ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia and were meant to honor the Greek god Zeus. The participants were free-born males that came from all parts of the Greek world. The games were held every four years from 776 BC until 393 AD. The modern Olympics began 1,503 years later in 1896. Penn Museum: The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games

• Ancient Events

  • Boxing
  • Equestrian - Chariot racing, horseback riding
  • Pankration
  • Pentathlon - Discus, javelin, jump, wrestling
  • Running
  • WrestlingPerseus.tufts: Why were they held at Olympia?

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Olympics | Summer Olympics | Summer Olympics 2008 | Winter Olympics | Beijing | Michael Phelps | Olympic Torch

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