Portal:Ancient Olympic Games
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Introduction
The ancient Olympic Games were originally a festival, or celebration of and for Zeus; later, events such as a footrace, a javelin contest, and wrestling matches were added. The Olympic Games (Ancient Greek: Ὀλύμπια, Olympia, "the Olympics"; also Ὀλυμπιάς, Olympias, "the Olympiad") were a series of athletic competitions among representatives of city-states and one of the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece. They were held in honor of Zeus, and the Greeks gave them a mythological origin. The first Olympics is traditionally dated to 776 BC. They continued to be celebrated when Greece came under Roman rule, until the emperor Theodosius I suppressed them in AD 393 as part of the campaign to impose Christianity as the State religion of Rome. The games were held every four years, or olympiad, which became a unit of time in historical chronologies.
During the celebration of the games, an Olympic Truce was enacted so that athletes could travel from their cities to the games in safety. The prizes for the victors were olive leaf wreaths or crowns. The games became a political tool used by city-states to assert dominance over their rivals. Politicians would announce political alliances at the games, and in times of war, priests would offer sacrifices to the gods for victory. The games were also used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean. The Olympics also featured religious celebrations. The statue of Zeus at Olympia was counted as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Sculptors and poets would congregate each olympiad to display their works of art to would-be patrons.
Selected general articles
- Dolichos or Dolichus (Greek: Δόλιχος, English translation: "long race") in the ancient Olympic Games was a long-race (ca. 4800 m) introduced in 720 BC. Separate accounts of the race present conflicting evidence as to the actual length of the dolichos. However, the average stated length of the race was approximately 18-24 laps, or about three miles. The event was run similarly to modern marathons - the runners would begin and end their event in the stadium proper, but the race course would wind its way through the Olympic grounds. The course would often flank important shrines and statues in the sanctuary, passing by the Nike statue by the temple of Zeus before returning to the stadium. Read more...
- In the 96th Olympiad (396 BC), beside the athletic and artistic competitions, the "Herald and Trumpet contest" was added, which was already a formal element of the Olympic ritual performed by the kerykes (heralds) and salpinktai (trumpeters) . Winners were chosen by the clarity of the enunciation and the audibility of their voice or horn blast. Some notable victors were:
- Timaeus (trumpeter) and Crates (herald) of Elis, the first ones.
- Herodorus of Megara (ten times) 328-292 BC trumpeter.
- Diogenes of Ephesus 69-85 AD (five times) trumpeter.
- Valerius Eclectus of Sinope 245,253-261 AD (four times) herald.
- The Hellanodikai (Ancient Greek: Ἑλλανοδίκαι, literally meaning Judges of the Greeks; sing. Ἑλλανοδίκας ) were the judges of the Ancient Olympic Games, and the success of the games are attributed to their efforts. It was their sacred duty to maintain the standards and legacy of the games, as well as uphold the rules. Read more...
Just how far back in history organized athletic contests were held remains a matter of debate, but it is reasonably certain that they occurred in Greece almost 3,000 years ago. However ancient in origin, by the end of the 6th century BC at least four Greek sporting festivals, sometimes called "classical games," had achieved major importance: the Olympic Games, held at Olympia; the Pythian Games at Delphi; the Nemean Games at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games, held near Corinth. The Olympic Games was perhaps the greatest of all sporting event held every four years and all Olympian winners, were highly appreciated among the Greeks. Read more...- A modern recreation of chariot racing in Puy du Fou
Chariot racing (Greek: ἁρματοδρομία, translit. harmatodromia, Latin: ludi circenses) was one of the most popular Iranian, ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine sports. Chariot racing was dangerous to both drivers and horses as they often suffered serious injury and even death, but these dangers added to the excitement and interest for spectators. Chariot races could be watched by women, who were banned from watching many other sports. In the Roman form of chariot racing, teams represented different groups of financial backers and sometimes competed for the services of particularly skilled drivers. As in modern sports like football, spectators generally chose to support a single team, identifying themselves strongly with its fortunes, and violence sometimes broke out between rival factions. The rivalries were sometimes politicized, when teams became associated with competing social or religious ideas. This helps explain why Roman and later Byzantine emperors took control of the teams and appointed many officials to oversee them.
The sport faded in importance in the West after the fall of Rome. It survived for a time in the Byzantine Empire, where the traditional Roman factions continued to play a prominent role for several centuries, gaining influence in political matters. Their rivalry culminated in the Nika riots, which marked the gradual decline of the sport. Read more... - In Greek antiquity, athletic festivals under the name of "Olympic games", named in imitation of the original Olympic games at Olympia, were held in various places all over the Greek world. Some of these are only known to us by inscriptions and coins; but others, as the Olympic festival at Antioch, obtained great celebrity. After these Olympic festivals had been established in several places, the great Olympic festival itself was sometimes designated in inscriptions by the addition of Pisa.
- Aegae in Macedonia. This festival was in existence in the time of Alexander the Great.
- Alexandria. In later times, the number of Alexandrian conquerors in the great Olympic Games in Elis was greater than from any other state.
- Anazarbus in Cilicia. Lately introduced games.
- Antioch at Daphne, a small place, 40 stadia from Antioch, where there was a large sacred grove watered by many fountains. The festival was originally called Daphnea, and was sacred to Apollo and Artemis, but was called Olympia, after the inhabitants of Antioch had purchased from the Eleans, in 44 AD, the privilege of celebrating Olympic games. It was not, however, regularly celebrated as an Olympic festival until the time of the emperor Commodus. It commenced on the first day of the month Hyperberetaeus, with which the year of Antioch began. It was under the presidency of an Alytarches. The celebration of it was abolished by Justin I, 521 AD. The writings of Libanius, and of Chrysostom, the Christian Father, who lived many years at Antioch, gave various particulars respecting this festival.
- Athens. There were two festivals of the name of Olympia celebrated at Athens, one of which was in existence in the time of Pindar who celebrates the ancestors of the Athenian Timodemus as conquerors in it, and perhaps much earlier (Schol. ad Thuc. i. 126). It was celebrated to the honour of Zeus, in the spring between the Great Dionysia and Bendidia (see Bendis). The other Olympic festival at Athens was instituted by Hadrian 131 AD; from which time a new Olympic era commenced.
- Attalia in Pamphylia. This festival is only known to us by coins.
- Cyzicus in Mysia.
- Cyrene in Libya.
- Dion in Macedonia. These games were instituted by Archelaus I of Macedon, and lasted nine days, corresponding to the number of the nine Muses. Euripides wrote and presented Bacchae and Archelaus (drama) there. They were celebrated with great splendour by Philip II and Alexander the Great.
- Ephesus. This festival appears by inscriptions, in which it is sometimes called Hadriana Olympia en Epheso, to have been instituted by Hadrian.
- Elis. Besides the great Olympic Games, there appear to have been smaller ones celebrated yearly.
- Magnesia in Lydia.
- Neapolis in Italy.
- Nicaea in Bithynia.
- Nicopolis in Epirus. Augustus, after the conquest of Antony, off Actium, founded Nicopolis, and instituted games to be celebrated every five years in commemoration of his victory. These games are sometimes called Olympic, but more, frequently bear the name of Actia. They were sacred to Apollo, and were under the care of the Lacedaemonians.
- Olympus upon the mountain between Thessaly and Macedonia.
- Pergamos in Mysia.
- Side in Pamphylia.
- Smyrna. Pausanias mentions an Agon of the Smyrnaeans, which Corsini (Diss. Agon. i. 12. p. 20) supposes to be an Olympic festival. The Marmor Oxoniense expressly mentions Olympia at Smyrna, and they also occur in inscriptions.
- Tarsus in Cilicia.
- Tegea in Arcadia.
- Thessalonica in Macedonia.
- Thyatira in Lydia.
- Tralles in Lydia.
- Tyrus in Phoenicia.
The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece is located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events at the Ancient Olympic Games. Read more...- A modern recreation of chariot racing in Puy du Fou
Chariot racing (Greek: ἁρματοδρομία, translit. harmatodromia, Latin: ludi circenses) was one of the most popular Iranian, ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine sports. Chariot racing was dangerous to both drivers and horses as they often suffered serious injury and even death, but these dangers added to the excitement and interest for spectators. Chariot races could be watched by women, who were banned from watching many other sports. In the Roman form of chariot racing, teams represented different groups of financial backers and sometimes competed for the services of particularly skilled drivers. As in modern sports like football, spectators generally chose to support a single team, identifying themselves strongly with its fortunes, and violence sometimes broke out between rival factions. The rivalries were sometimes politicized, when teams became associated with competing social or religious ideas. This helps explain why Roman and later Byzantine emperors took control of the teams and appointed many officials to oversee them.
The sport faded in importance in the West after the fall of Rome. It survived for a time in the Byzantine Empire, where the traditional Roman factions continued to play a prominent role for several centuries, gaining influence in political matters. Their rivalry culminated in the Nika riots, which marked the gradual decline of the sport. Read more... 
The following is a list of winners of the Stadion race at the Olympic Games from 776 BC to 225 AD. It is based on the list given by Eusebius of Caesarea using a compilation by Sextus Julius Africanus. The Stadion race was the first and most important competition of the ancient Olympiads and the names of the winners are used by many Greek authors to date historic events.* 1st Olympiad 776 BC - Coroebus of Elis- 2nd Olympiad 772 BC - Antimachus of Elis
- 3rd Olympiad 768 BC - Androclus of Messenia
- 4th Olympiad 764 BC - Polychares of Messenia
- 5th Olympiad 760 BC - Aeschines of Elis
- 6th Olympiad 756 BC - Oebotas of Dyme
- 7th Olympiad 752 BC - Diocles of Messenia (Ancient Greek: Διοκλῆς Μεσήνιος; called Daïcles, Ancient Greek: Δαϊκλῆς Μεσσήνιος, in Dionysius's chronicle)
- 8th Olympiad 748 BC - Anticles of Messenia
- 9th Olympiad 744 BC - Xenocles of Messenia
- 10th Olympiad 740 BC - Dotades of Messenia
- 11th Olympiad 736 BC - Leochares of Messenia
- 12th Olympiad 732 BC - Oxythemis of Cleonae or Coroneia
- 13th Olympiad 728 BC - Diocles of Corinth
- 14th Olympiad 724 BC - Desmon of Corinth
- 15th Olympiad 720 BC - Orsippus of Megara
- 16th Olympiad 716 BC - Pythagoras of Laconia
- 17th Olympiad 712 BC - Polus of Epidaurus
- 18th Olympiad 708 BC - Tellis of Sicyon
- 19th Olympiad 704 BC - Menus of Megara
- 20th Olympiad 700 BC - Atheradas of Laconia
- 21st Olympiad 696 BC - Pantacles of Athens - In 692 BC he also won the diaulos. He was the first winner from Athens and the first runner in history to defend his title four years after his first victory.
- 22nd Olympiad 692 BC - Pantacles for a second time
- 23rd Olympiad 688 BC - Icarius of Hyperesia
- 24th Olympiad 684 BC - Cleoptolemus of Laconia
- 25th Olympiad 680 BC - Thalpis of Laconia
- 26th Olympiad 676 BC - Callisthenes of Laconia
- 27th Olympiad 672 BC - Eurybus of Athens (Ancient Greek: Εὔρυβος Ἀθηναῖος; called Eurybates, Ancient Greek: Εὐρυβάτης by Dionysius)
- 28th Olympiad 668 BC - Charmis of Laconia
- 29th Olympiad 664 BC - Chionis of Laconia
- 30th Olympiad 660 BC - Chionis for a second time
- 31st Olympiad 656 BC - Chionis for a third time
- 32nd Olympiad 652 BC - Cratinus of Megara
- 33rd Olympiad 648 BC - Gylis of Laconia
- 34th Olympiad 644 BC - Stomas of Athens - He was the third winner from Athens and his name is only referred by Eusebius.
- 35th Olympiad 640 BC - Sphaerus of Laconia (Ancient Greek: Σφαῖρος Λάκων)
- 36th Olympiad 636 BC - Phrynon of Athens
- 37th Olympiad 632 BC - Eurycleidas of Laconia
- 38th Olympiad 628 BC - Olyntheus of Laconia
- 39th Olympiad 624 BC - Rhipsolaus of Laconia
- 40th Olympiad 620 BC - Olyntheus of Laconia for a second time
- 41st Olympiad 616 BC - Cleondas of Thebes
- 42nd Olympiad 612 BC - Lycotas of Laconia
- 43rd Olympiad 608 BC - Cleon of Epidaurus
- 44th Olympiad 604 BC - Gelon of Laconia
- 45th Olympiad 600 BC - Anticrates of Epidaurus
- 46th Olympiad 596 BC - Chrysamaxus of Laconia
- 47th Olympiad 592 BC - Eurycles of Laconia
- 48th Olympiad 588 BC - Glycon of Croton
- 49th Olympiad 584 BC - Lycinus of Croton
- 50th Olympiad 580 BC - Epitelidas of Laconia
- 51st Olympiad 576 BC - Eratosthenes of Croton
- 52nd Olympiad 572 BC - Agis of Elis
- 53rd Olympiad 568 BC - Hagnon of Peparethus
- 54th Olympiad 564 BC - Hippostratus of Croton
- 55th Olympiad 560 BC - Hippostratus for a second time
- 56th Olympiad 556 BC - Phaedrus of Pharsalus
- 57th Olympiad 552 BC - Ladromus of Laconia
- 58th Olympiad 548 BC - Diognetus of Croton
- 59th Olympiad 544 BC - Archilochus of Corcyra
- 60th Olympiad 540 BC - Apellaeus of Elis
- 61st Olympiad 536 BC - Agatharchus of Corcyra
- 62nd Olympiad 532 BC - Eryxias of Chalcis
- 63rd Olympiad 528 BC - Parmenides of Camarina
- 64th Olympiad 524 BC - Menander of Thessaly
- 65th Olympiad 520 BC - Anochas of Tarentum
- 66th Olympiad 516 BC - Ischyrus of Himera
- 67th Olympiad 512 BC - Phanas of Pellene
- 68th Olympiad 508 BC - Isomachus of Croton
- 69th Olympiad 504 BC - Isomachus for a second time
- 70th Olympiad 500 BC - Nicasias of Opus
- 71st Olympiad 496 BC - Tisicrates of Croton
- 72nd Olympiad 492 BC - Tisicrates for a second time
- 73rd Olympiad 488 BC - Astyalus of Croton
- 74th Olympiad 484 BC - Astyalus for a second time
- 75th Olympiad 480 BC - Astyalus for a third time
- 76th Olympiad 476 BC - Scamander of Mytilene
- 77th Olympiad 472 BC - Dandes of Argos
- 78th Olympiad 468 BC - Parmenides of Poseidonia
- 79th Olympiad 464 BC - Xenophon of Corinth
- 80th Olympiad 460 BC - Torymmas of Thessaly
- 81st Olympiad 456 BC - Polymnastus of Cyrene
- 82nd Olympiad 452 BC - Lycus of Larissa
- 83rd Olympiad 448 BC - Crisson of Himera
- 84th Olympiad 444 BC - Crisson for a second time
- 85th Olympiad 440 BC - Crisson for a third time
- 86th Olympiad 436 BC - Theopompus of Thessaly
- 87th Olympiad 432 BC - Sophron of Ambracia
- 88th Olympiad 428 BC - Symmachus of Messenia
- 89th Olympiad 424 BC - Symmachus for a second time
- 90th Olympiad 420 BC - Hyperbius of Syracuse
- 91st Olympiad 416 BC - Exagentus of Acragas
- 92nd Olympiad 412 BC - Exagentus for a second time
- 93rd Olympiad 408 BC - Eubatus of Cyrene
- 94th Olympiad 404 BC - Crocinas of Larissa
- 95th Olympiad 400 BC - Minon of Athens - Using his victory to date historic events, Diodorus Siculus reports his name as Minos.
- 96th Olympiad 396 BC - Eupolemus of Elis
- 97th Olympiad 392 BC - Perieres of Terina or Terinaeus of Elis ?
- 98th Olympiad 388 BC - Sosippus of Delphi
- 99th Olympiad 384 BC - Dicon of Syracuse
- 100th Olympiad 380 BC - Dionysodorus of Tarentum
- 101st Olympiad 376 BC - Damon of Thurii
- 102nd Olympiad 372 BC - Damon for a second time
- 103rd Olympiad 368 BC - Pythostratus of Ephesus
- 104th Olympiad 364 BC - Phocides of Athens - listed by Eusebius of Caesarea as a victor in the stadion race (Diodor) or wrestling contest (Eusebius) of the 104th Olympiad (364 BC). His victory is used by Diodorus Siculus to date the events of his history.
- 105th Olympiad 360 BC - Porus of Cyrene
- 106th Olympiad 356 BC - Porus for a second time
- 107th Olympiad 352 BC - Smicrinas of Tarentum
- 108th Olympiad 348 BC - Polycles of Cyrene
- 109th Olympiad 344 BC - Aristolochus of Athens - His victory is used by Diodorus Siculus to date the events of his history.
- 110th Olympiad 340 BC - Anticles of Athens
- 111th Olympiad 336 BC - Cleomantis of Cleitor
- 112th Olympiad 332 BC - Gryllus of Chalcis
- 113th Olympiad 328 BC - Cliton of Macedonia
- 114th Olympiad 324 BC - Micinas of Rhodes
- 115th Olympiad 320 BC - Damasias of Amphipolis
- 116th Olympiad 316 BC - Demosthenes of Laconia
- 117th Olympiad 312 BC - Parmenides of Mytilene
- 118th Olympiad 308 BC - Andromenes of Corinth
- 119th Olympiad 304 BC - Andromenes for a second time
- 120th Olympiad 300 BC - Pythagoras of Magnesia-on-Maeander
- 121st Olympiad 296 BC - Pythagoras for a second time
- 122nd Olympiad 292 BC - Antigonus of Macedonia
- 123rd Olympiad 288 BC - Antigonus for a second time
- 124th Olympiad 284 BC - Philomelus of Pharsalus
- 125th Olympiad 280 BC - Ladas of Aegium
- 126th Olympiad 276 BC - Idaeus or Nicator of Cyrene
- 127th Olympiad 272 BC - Perigenes of Alexandria
- 128th Olympiad 268 BC - Seleucus of Macedonia
- 129th Olympiad 264 BC - Philinus of Cos
- 130th Olympiad 260 BC - Philinus for a second time
- 131st Olympiad 256 BC - Ammonius of Alexandria
- 132nd Olympiad 252 BC - Xenophanes of Amphissa in Aetolia
- 133rd Olympiad 248 BC - Simylus of Neapolis
- 134th Olympiad 244 BC - Alcides of Laconia
- 135th Olympiad 240 BC - Eraton of Aetolia
- 136th Olympiad 236 BC - Pythocles of Sicyon
- 137th Olympiad 232 BC - Menestheus of Barcyla
- 138th Olympiad 228 BC - Demetrius of Alexandria
- 139th Olympiad 224 BC - Iolaidas of Argos - He was the second winner from Argos in the category.
- 140th Olympiad 220 BC - Zopyrus of Syracuse
- 141st Olympiad 216 BC - Dorotheus of Rhodes
- 142nd Olympiad 212 BC - Crates of Alexandria
- 143rd Olympiad 208 BC - Heracleitus of Samos
- 144th Olympiad 204 BC - Heracleides of Salamis in Cyprus
- 145th Olympiad 200 BC - Pyrrhias of Aetolia
- 146th Olympiad 196 BC - Micion of Boeotia
- 147th Olympiad 192 BC - Agemachus of Cyzicus
- 148th Olympiad 188 BC - Arcesilaus of Megalopolis
- 149th Olympiad 184 BC - Hippostratus of Seleuceia in Pieria
- 150th Olympiad 180 BC - Onesicritus of Salamis
- 151st Olympiad 176 BC - Thymilus of Aspendus
- 152nd Olympiad 172 BC - Democritus of Megara
- 153rd Olympiad 168 BC - Aristander of Antissa in Lesbos
- 154th Olympiad 164 BC - Leonidas of Rhodes, victor in all three racing competitions
- 155th Olympiad 160 BC - Leonidas for a second time
- 156th Olympiad 156 BC - Leonidas for a third time
- 157th Olympiad 152 BC - Leonidas, victor in three races for a fourth time, was the first and only man to win 12 Olympic crowns over four Olympiads.
- 158th Olympiad 148 BC - Othon of Syracuse
- 159th Olympiad 144 BC - Alcimus of Cyzicus
- 160th Olympiad 140 BC - Agnodorus of Cyzicus
- 161st Olympiad 136 BC - Antipater of Epirus
- 162nd Olympiad 132 BC - Damon of Delphi
- 163rd Olympiad 128 BC - Timotheus of Tralles
- 164th Olympiad 124 BC - Boeotus of Sicyon
- 165th Olympiad 120 BC - Acusilaus of Cyrene
- 166th Olympiad 116 BC - Chrysogonus of Nicaea
- 167th Olympiad 112 BC - Chrysogonus for a second time
- 168th Olympiad 108 BC - Nicomachus of Philadelphia
- 169th Olympiad 104 BC - Nicodemus of Lacedaemon
- 170th Olympiad 100 BC - Simmias of Seleuceia-on-Tigris
- 171st Olympiad 96 BC - Parmeniscus of Corcyra
- 172nd Olympiad 92 BC - Eudamus of Cos
- 173rd Olympiad 88 BC - Parmeniscus of Corcyra for a second time
- 174th Olympiad 84 BC - Demostratus of Larissa
- 175th Olympiad 80 BC - Epaenetus of Argos, (boys' stadion race) There was no stadion race for adults this year, because Sulla had summoned all the athletes to Rome.
- 176th Olympiad 76 BC - Dion of Cyparissus (Cyparissia in Laconia)
- 177th Olympiad 72 BC - Hecatomnus of Elis
- 178th Olympiad 68 BC - Diocles of Hypopenus
- 179th Olympiad 64 BC - Andreas of Lacedaemon
- 180th Olympiad 60 BC - Andromachus of Ambracia
- 181st Olympiad 56 BC - Lamachus of Tauromenium
- 182nd Olympiad 52 BC - Anthestion of Argos - The third winner from Argos in the category.
- 183rd Olympiad 48 BC - Theodorus of Messene
- 184th Olympiad 44 BC - Theodorus for a second time
- 185th Olympiad 40 BC - Ariston of Thurii
- 186th Olympiad 36 BC - Scamander of Alexandria Troas
- 187th Olympiad 32 BC - Ariston of Thurii again
- 188th Olympiad 28 BC - Sopater of Argos - The fourth winner from Argos in the category.
- 189th Olympiad 24 BC - Asclepiades of Sidon
- 190th Olympiad 20 BC - Auphidius of Patrae
- 191st Olympiad 16 BC - Diodotus of Tyana
- 192nd Olympiad 12 BC - Diophanes of Aeolis
- 193rd Olympiad 8 BC - Artemidorus of Thyateira
- 194th Olympiad 4 BC - Demaratus of Ephesus
- 195th Olympiad 1 AD - Demaratus for a second time
- 196th Olympiad 5 AD - Pammenes of Magnesia-on-Maeander
- 197th Olympiad 9 AD - Asiaticus of Halicarnassus
- 198th Olympiad 13 AD - Diophanes of Prusa
- 199th Olympiad 17 AD - Aeschines Glaucias of Miletus
- 200th Olympiad 21 AD - Polemon of Petra
- 201st Olympiad 25 AD - Damasias of Cydonia
- 202nd Olympiad 29 AD - Hermogenes of Pergamum
- 203rd Olympiad 33 AD - Apollonius of Epidaurus
- 204th Olympiad 37 AD - Sarapion of Alexandria
- 205th Olympiad 41 AD - Eubulidas of Laodiceia
- 206th Olympiad 45 AD - Valerius of Mytilene
- 207th Olympiad 49 AD - Athenodorus of Aegium
- 208th Olympiad 53 AD - Athenodorus for a second time
- 209th Olympiad 57 AD - Callicles of Sidon
- 210th Olympiad 61 AD - Athenodorus of Aegium for a third time
- 211th Olympiad 67 AD - Tryphon of Philadelphia (These games were not held at the usual time because Nero postponed them until his visit to Greece two years later)
- 212th Olympiad 69 AD - Polites of Ceramus
- 213th Olympiad 73 AD - Rhodon of Cyme (or Theodotus)
- 214th Olympiad 77 AD - Straton of Alexandria
- 215th Olympiad 81 AD - Hermogenes of Xanthus
- 216th Olympiad 85 AD - Apollophanes Papis of Tarsus
- 217th Olympiad 89 AD - Hermogenes of Xanthus for a second time
- 218th Olympiad 93 AD - Apollonius of Alexandria (or Heliodorus)
- 219th Olympiad 97 AD - Stephanus of Cappadocia
- 220th Olympiad 101 AD - Achilleus of Alexandria
- 221st Olympiad 105 AD - Theonas Smaragdus of Alexandria
- 222nd Olympiad 109 AD - Callistus of Side
- 223rd Olympiad 113 AD - Eustolus of Side
- 224th Olympiad 117 AD - Isarion of Alexandria
- 225th Olympiad 121 AD - Aristeas of Miletus
- 226th Olympiad 125 AD - Dionysius Sameumys of Alexandria
- 227th Olympiad 129 AD - Dionysius for a second time
- 228th Olympiad 133 AD - Lucas of Alexandria
- 229th Olympiad 137 AD - Epidaurus Ammonius of Alexandria
- 230th Olympiad 141 AD - Didymus Clydeus of Alexandria
- 231st Olympiad 145 AD - Cranaus of Sicyon
- 232nd Olympiad 149 AD - Atticus of Sardis
- 233rd Olympiad 153 AD - Demetrius of Chios
- 234th Olympiad 157 AD - Eras of Chios
- 235th Olympiad 161 AD - Mnasibulus of Elateia
- 236th Olympiad 165 AD - Aeithales of Alexandria
- 237th Olympiad 169 AD - Eudaemon of Alexandria
- 238th Olympiad 173 AD - Agathopus of Aegina
- 239th Olympiad 177 AD - Agathopus for a second time
- 240th Olympiad 181 AD - Anubion Pheidus of Alexandria
- 241st Olympiad 185 AD - Heron of Alexandria
- 242nd Olympiad 189 AD - Magnus Libycus of Cyrene
- 243rd Olympiad 193 AD - Isidorus Artemidorus of Alexandria
- 244th Olympiad 197 AD - Isidorus for a second time
- 245th Olympiad 201 AD - Alexander of Alexandria (20th winner from Alexandria in Egypt and 18th Alexandrian crown during their period of dominance in the 1st and 2nd century.)
- 246th Olympiad 205 AD - Epinicus Cynas of Cyzicus
- 247th Olympiad 209 AD - Satornilus of Gortyn in Crete
- 248th Olympiad 213 AD - Heliodorus Trosidamas of Alexandria (Last winner of the stadion race from Alexandria in Egypt recorded by Eusebius and his second title was the 20th Alexandrian crown in the Christian era)
- 249th Olympiad 217 AD - Heliodorus for a second time
- 250th Olympiad 221 AD - Publius Aelius Alcandridas of Sparta
- 251st Olympiad 225 AD - Publius Aelius Alcandridas of Sparta for a second time
- 252nd Olympiad 229 AD - Demetrius of Salamis
- 253rd Olympiad 233 AD - Demetrius of Salamis for a second time
- 254th Olympiad 237 AD - Demetrius of Salamis for a third time
- (...)
- 262nd Olympiad 269 AD - Dionysius of Alexandria
Pankration (/pænˈkreɪtiɒn,-ˈkreɪʃən/; Greek: παγκράτιον) was a sporting event introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and was an empty-hand submission sport with scarcely any rules. The athletes used boxing and wrestling techniques, but also others, such as kicking and holds, locks and chokes on the ground. The only things not acceptable were biting and gouging out the opponent's eyes.
The term comes from the Greek παγκράτιον [paŋkrátion], literally meaning "all of power" from πᾶν (pan) "all" and κράτος (kratos) "strength, might, power". Read more...
Ancient Greek boxing (Greek: πυγμαχία pygmachia, "fist fighting") dates back to at least the 8th century BCE (Homer's Iliad), and was practiced in a variety of social contexts in different Greek city-states. Most extant sources about ancient Greek boxing are fragmentary or legendary, making it difficult to reconstruct the rules, customs and history surrounding this activity in great detail. Still, it is clear that gloved boxing bouts were a significant part of ancient Greek athletic culture throughout the early classical period. Read more...
The stadion of ancient Nemea, Greece.
Stadion or stade (Ancient Greek: στάδιον) was an ancient running event, part of the Ancient Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games. It was one of the five major Pentathlon events. It was the premier event of the gymnikos agon (γυμνικὸς ἀγών "nude competition"). Read more...
A papyrus list of Olympic victors, 3rd century A.D., British Library
The current list of ancient Olympic victors contains all of the known victors of the ancient Olympic Games from the 1st Games in 776 BC up to 264th in 277 AD, as well as the games of 369 AD before their permanent disbandment in 393 by Roman emperor Theodosius I. It is based on available modern sources, as well as the older ones such as the writings of Pausanias (2nd century AD) and Chronicle of Eusebius (3rd century AD). Read more...
Greek wrestling (Greek: πάλη, pálē), also known as Ancient Greek wrestling and Palé, was the most popular organized sport in Ancient Greece. A point was scored when one player touched the ground with his back, hip or shoulder, or conceding defeat due to a submission-hold or was forced out of the wrestling-area. Three points had to be scored to win the match.
One particularly important position in this form of wrestling was one where one of the contestants was lying on his abdomen with the other on his back trying to strangle him. The athlete on the bottom would try to grasp an arm of the one on top and turn him over onto his back while the athlete on top would try to complete the choke without being rolled. Read more...
Museum replica of a bronze discus inscribed as a votive offering to Zeus by Asklepiades of Corinth, winner of the pentathlon in the 255th Olympiad (Glyptothek Munich, original in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia)
The Ancient Olympic pentathlon (Greek: πένταθλον) was an athletic contest at the Ancient Olympic Games, and other Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. The name derives from Greek, combining the words pente (five) and athlon (competition). Five events were contested over one day, starting with the stadion (a short foot race) followed by the Javelin throw, Discus throw, Long jump (the order of these three events is still unclear), and ending with wrestling. While Pentathletes were considered to be inferior to the specialized athletes in a certain event, they were superior in overall development and were some of the most well balanced of all the athletes. Their training was often part of military service—each of the five events was thought to be useful in battle. Read more...
The hoplitodromos or hoplitodromia (Greek: Ὁπλιτόδρομος, Ὁπλιτοδρομία, English translation: "race of soldiers") was an ancient foot race, part of the Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games. It was the last foot race to be added to the Olympics, first appearing at the 65th Olympics in 520 BC, and was traditionally the last foot race to be held.
Unlike the other races, which were generally run in the nude, the hoplitodromos required competitors to run wearing the helmet and greaves of the hoplite infantryman from which the race took its name. Runners also carried the aspis, the hoplites' bronze-covered wood shield, bringing the total encumbrance to at least 50 pounds. As the hoplitodromos was one of the shorter foot races, the heavy armor and shield was less a test of endurance than one of sheer muscular strength. After 450 BC, the use of greaves was abandoned; however, the weight of the shield and helmet remained substantial. Read more...
The Archaeological Museum of Olympia (Greek: Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ολυμπίας) is one of the principal museums of Greece, located in Olympia. It is overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and, as of 2009, is directed by Georgia Xatzi. When the original building was completed and opened in 1882, it was the first museum in Greece outside of Athens.
The museum houses discoveries from the surrounding area, including the site of the Ancient Olympic Games. The collection includes objects produced and used in the area from prehistory to its time under Roman rule. The principal pieces in the museum are Hermes and the Infant Dionysus (attributed to Praxiteles), some objects from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paionios, as well as an oenochoe that belonged to Phidias. The extent of its bronze collection makes it one of the most important in the world. Read more...
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Selected images
The palaestra of Olympia, a place devoted to the training of wrestlers and other athletes
The exedra reserved for the judges at Olympia on the north embankment of the stadium
The "Discobolus" is a copy of a Greek statue c. 5th century BC. It represents an ancient Olympic discus thrower
Pankration scene: the pankriatiast on the right tries to gouge his opponent's eye; the umpire is about to strike him for this foul.
Detail from an Attic red-figure kylix c. 490-480 BC, British Museum
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