Olympic games in the ancient years

1. ERASMUS+ 2015-2018
5th
Primary School, Palaio Faliro
Workshop of Sports and Adventure
Olympic Games in Ancient years
Responsible teacher: Andrikopoulos Tryfon
Participating students:Evi Zaga, Antonia Kastritsiou,
Maria Matthaiou, Athanasia Roumana, Eleni
Spanou, Natalia Tsaka, Christina Haidopoulou,
Angelos Koutsoudakis, Achilleas Lagios,
Alexandros Papantoniou, Agisilaos Roumeliotis,
Thanos Tragaris, Yannis Tsakalos

2. OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE ANCIENT YEARS
The Olympic Games in ancient times were the most important athletic
event of Ancient Greece and were held in Ancient Olympia every 4 years
from 776 BC. Athletes from all over Greece (and later from all places)
took part in the Olympic Games and they gradually gained special glory.
Their organization took place until 393, when Emperor Theodosius
banned them. Since 1986 they have been revived with the name
"Olympic Games" and are held as international Games, also known as
"Summer Olympics".

3. ANCIENT OLYMPIA
Olympia was the most glorious sanctuary of ancient Greece dedicated to Zeus, the father of the
gods and people. It was the place where the Olympic Games were held, that took place in the
framework of the Olympics, the most important celebration of Greeks during most of the
antiquity. Similar festivals were the Pythia, organized in honor of Apollo at Delphi, Isthmia in
honor of Poseidon at the Isthmus of Corinth and Nemea, also in honor of Zeus at his sanctuary
in Nemea.

4. Thestoryof Lampadidromia(TorchRace)
During the ancient Olympics, a flame burned during the
races. Torch races in Ancient Greece began as religious
ceremonies and quickly developed into one of the most
popular events. In Panathenaia, the torch race was an
important part of the races.

5. THE OLYMPIC GAMES
(THEN AND NOW)
• Entry was forbidden to women, while
today women can watch the games.
• Only male athletes took part, while
today women also take part.
• In the ancient Olympics, athletes fought naked. This is not the case
today.
• The Olympians were respected by everyone and were awarded with
honors for heroes. And today the winners in the Olympic Games are
honored and enjoy the praise and admiration of all.
• The athletes were awarded an olive wreath as a prize, while in
modern Games, they are given a medal, a bouquet and a certain
amount of money
• The most important difference is that in the past there was the
concept of healthy competition, that is, the best one should win. This
is not the case today, that's why athletes are using anabolic.

6. Some sports

7. • Αγώνες Δρόμου  Road racing
• Πάλη Wrestling
• Πυγμαχία Boxing
• Παγκράτιο  Pankration
• Πένταθλο  Pentathlon
• Αρματοδρομία  Chariot racing
• Αγώνες Δρόμου  Road racing
• Πάλη Wrestling
• Πυγμαχία Boxing
• Παγκράτιο  Pankration
• Πένταθλο  Pentathlon
• Αρματοδρομία  Chariot racing

8. RACES
The simple road race, the "stadium" was the
first race to be established. Until the 15th
Olympic Games, the athletes who took part
wore a small apron, while later they struggled
naked, demonstrating their performance in
marching and running.
The simple road race, the "stadium" was the
first race to be established. Until the 15th
Olympic Games, the athletes who took part
wore a small apron, while later they struggled
naked, demonstrating their performance in
marching and running.
“Gangway” was a road of speed and one of the
most spectacular events.
“Gangway” was a road of speed and one of the
most spectacular events.
"Diavlos" was also a speed race, in which the
runners, running in four, had to cover the two-
stages distance (about 400 m).”Stadium” was
the basic speed race and the oldest race. A
"Dolichos" was a running of resistance
"Diavlos" was also a speed race, in which the
runners, running in four, had to cover the two-
stages distance (about 400 m).”Stadium” was
the basic speed race and the oldest race. A
"Dolichos" was a running of resistance

9. WRESTLING
One of the most popular contests in ancient Greece was Wrestling. Homer in the
"Atrocities of Patroklou" describes us fighting scenes.
As the inventor of the sport, Theseus (in his fight with Kerkyon) is mentioned, but also
Hercules (when they beat the giants Antaeus, Acheloos, Triton and various
monsters). Apart from the two mythical heroes, however, gods are also mentioned
as inventors of the wrestling, such as Hermes and his daughter Palaestra.
In the Olympic Games, wrestling was introduced as an independent race at the 18th
Olympic Games (708 BC), but also as a pentathlon race.
From the 37th Olympic Games (632 BC), the children began to fight in Wrestling.
One of the most popular contests in ancient Greece was Wrestling. Homer in the
"Atrocities of Patroklou" describes us fighting scenes.
As the inventor of the sport, Theseus (in his fight with Kerkyon) is mentioned, but also
Hercules (when they beat the giants Antaeus, Acheloos, Triton and various
monsters). Apart from the two mythical heroes, however, gods are also mentioned
as inventors of the wrestling, such as Hermes and his daughter Palaestra.
In the Olympic Games, wrestling was introduced as an independent race at the 18th
Olympic Games (708 BC), but also as a pentathlon race.
From the 37th Olympic Games (632 BC), the children began to fight in Wrestling.
.
Kinds of wrestling
Standing wrestling: The goal of this kind of wrestling was to wrestle the enemy on the
ground.
Alindesis: in this type of wrestling mainly the lower part of the body (waist, thighs,
knees) and hands was exercised.
Kinds of wrestling
Standing wrestling: The goal of this kind of wrestling was to wrestle the enemy on the
ground.
Alindesis: in this type of wrestling mainly the lower part of the body (waist, thighs,
knees) and hands was exercised.

10. BOXING
Boxing was a violent and often deadly athletic
event. The hands were reinforced with thick
leather straps from the elbow to the punches,
while the fingers were left uncovered in order
to close and form a punch. The straps may
have been reinforced with small lead bolts or
nails. In case that the fight lasted a long time
without a winner, the fighters had to do the
so-called "scale". That is, the boxers stood still
without defending or avoiding the strike, while
alternately they exchanged bumps until one of
the two collapsed.
Boxing was a violent and often deadly athletic
event. The hands were reinforced with thick
leather straps from the elbow to the punches,
while the fingers were left uncovered in order
to close and form a punch. The straps may
have been reinforced with small lead bolts or
nails. In case that the fight lasted a long time
without a winner, the fighters had to do the
so-called "scale". That is, the boxers stood still
without defending or avoiding the strike, while
alternately they exchanged bumps until one of
the two collapsed.
Among the oldest sports, it was included in the
Olympic Games in 688 BC. And the children's
boxing entered the Olympic program in 616
BC. In the picture, we see Melagomas, a boxer
equal with the boxers of today.

11. PANCRATIO
PANCRATIO
It belonged in the heavyweight category
and added to the Olympic program for men
in 648 BC, in the 33rd Olympiad, and for the
children in 200 BC
PANCRATIO
It belonged in the heavyweight category
and added to the Olympic program for men
in 648 BC, in the 33rd Olympiad, and for the
children in 200 BC
The event was distinguished in the upper or
orthostatic pancratio (when the athletes
were fighting standing up) and in the lower
pancratio (when the opponents fell and
continued their fighting down). In training,
athletes usually used the orthostatic, while
in the races the lower pancratio.
Pankaratists had to combine the
qualifications of wrestlers and boxers at the
same time, while the competition had strict
rules to be followed.

12. PENTATHLON
Pentathlon was used to be started by
throwing a disc or jumping It
continued with javelin throwing,
running and wrestling. Preliminary
training in gyms included four
jumping categories: high
jump(standing), high
jump(running), long jump and deep
jump, while in the Olympic Games
only the long jump is mentioned.
Pentathlon was introduced in 708 BC, at the
18th Olympiad, and was consisted of five
events ...... discus, javelin, jump, running and
wrestling
From these events the first three were considered
light and the last two heavy.
The tradition says that first Jason created the
Pentathlon, the union of five different games in
honor of his friend Palais, who had won in
wresling,at the events made by the Argonauts in
Lemnos but he had come second in all the other
events.
Jump, javelin and discus were only pentathlon
events, while running and wrestling were also
held separately with their own prize.
Winner of the Pentathlon was considered the
most important. In fact, Aristotle considers him
"the best of the Greeks". However, the way of
proclaiming the pentathletes is unknown.

13. JUMP
In the ancient Olympics, the jump was
carried out mainly in the frame of the
pentathlon and rarely as a separate race.
Unlike the modern jumping, where the only
equipment of the jumper is his athletic
shoes, the ancient Olympians used stone or
lead weights, dumbbells.
In the ancient Olympics, the jump was
carried out mainly in the frame of the
pentathlon and rarely as a separate race.
Unlike the modern jumping, where the only
equipment of the jumper is his athletic
shoes, the ancient Olympians used stone or
lead weights, dumbbells.
The dumbbells were of different types,
depending on their shape: ellipsoid,
ambiguous, amphibious, but mostly long and
circular.The ones who were rescued weigh
1610, 1480 or 2018 or even 4629 grams.
They used them accordingly.
The dumbbells were of different types,
depending on their shape: ellipsoid,
ambiguous, amphibious, but mostly long and
circular.The ones who were rescued weigh
1610, 1480 or 2018 or even 4629 grams.
They used them accordingly.

14. DISCUS
The word discus derives from the
ancient verb "diko" which
means throw. According to
Pausanias, the inventor of the
discus was Perseus. The
ancient god Apollo or goddess
Artemis was considered the
protector god of the discus
throwing. Discus is a circular,
biconvex plaque suitable for
spraying, which was originally
made of stone and later of
metal, that is, lead iron or
forged copper. For exercising
we know that they also used
wood.
The word discus derives from the
ancient verb "diko" which
means throw. According to
Pausanias, the inventor of the
discus was Perseus. The
ancient god Apollo or goddess
Artemis was considered the
protector god of the discus
throwing. Discus is a circular,
biconvex plaque suitable for
spraying, which was originally
made of stone and later of
metal, that is, lead iron or
forged copper. For exercising
we know that they also used
wood.

15. DISCUS
Discus throwing was a popular race for the Ancient
Greeks, which is also shown in their art.
According to the Greek tradition, Perseus invented discus
throwing and during his participation in some races, he
threw the discus and killed inadvertently his grandfather
Akrisios. Apollo, also, in a discus throwing event, kills his
friend Yakinthos.
In general, due to its nature, discus throwing from
prehistoric times is associated with many fatal accidents.
Formally, however, the discus throwing is described in
Homer's Odyssey and Iliad.
Discus throwing was a popular race for the Ancient
Greeks, which is also shown in their art.
According to the Greek tradition, Perseus invented discus
throwing and during his participation in some races, he
threw the discus and killed inadvertently his grandfather
Akrisios. Apollo, also, in a discus throwing event, kills his
friend Yakinthos.
In general, due to its nature, discus throwing from
prehistoric times is associated with many fatal accidents.
Formally, however, the discus throwing is described in
Homer's Odyssey and Iliad.
Tributes (such as the discus the Corinthus Poplius Asklipiadis - an Olympic champion at the 25th
Olympiad in 241 AD), which is kept in the Museum of Olympia, has an inscribed inscription
dedicated to Zeus. On the discus, besides inscriptions, there were various representations. They
usually depicted athletes. Other times they used to write odes or various treaties, such as the
treaty of the sacred truce in Olympia.
Tributes (such as the discus the Corinthus Poplius Asklipiadis - an Olympic champion at the 25th
Olympiad in 241 AD), which is kept in the Museum of Olympia, has an inscribed inscription
dedicated to Zeus. On the discus, besides inscriptions, there were various representations. They
usually depicted athletes. Other times they used to write odes or various treaties, such as the
treaty of the sacred truce in Olympia.

16. JAVELIN
The ancient Greeks often liked
practising in javelin throwing,
as this was their main
aggressive weapon. It is known
from the Homeric epics.
Extreme javelin: Javelin throwing
was done at the Stadium and
in the vase depictions the
athlete appears to start from a
fixed point.
Stochastic javelin: Javelin
throwing at a target was
usually done by a horse
The ancient Greeks often liked
practising in javelin throwing,
as this was their main
aggressive weapon. It is known
from the Homeric epics.
Extreme javelin: Javelin throwing
was done at the Stadium and
in the vase depictions the
athlete appears to start from a
fixed point.
Stochastic javelin: Javelin
throwing at a target was
usually done by a horse

17. HORSE RACES
They included horse riding events and chariot races.
The horse riding events were held in Olympia.
They included horse riding events and chariot races.
The horse riding events were held in Olympia.

18. CHARIOT RACES
In the Homer times, the
charioteer was the owner himself,
but in the historical times the
charioteers were not the owners
of the horses. The victory,
however, belonged to the owners
who were even crowned winners,
while for the charioteer the prize
was a woolen ribbon, that the
horseman (the owner of the
horse) tied on his front. That is
why in Olympia we have names of
women who are mentioned as
winners in chariot races, children
or even cities.

19. Place for chariot races
The chariot race was conducted at a special
stage, the "racetrack", of unknown
dimensions today.
The only racetrack that is survived today in
Greece is located in the Lykaio Mountain
and is 300 meters long, or one and a half
stages, and a hundred meters wide.
The Olympia racetrack, according to Pausanias,
should have been wider.
The starting mechanism was an invention of
Cleoita, which was perfected by Aristides. At
one end of the racecourse was the round
altar of Tarakippos, and the horses were
unexpectedly paniced when they passed
from this point.
The chariot race was conducted at a special
stage, the "racetrack", of unknown
dimensions today.
The only racetrack that is survived today in
Greece is located in the Lykaio Mountain
and is 300 meters long, or one and a half
stages, and a hundred meters wide.
The Olympia racetrack, according to Pausanias,
should have been wider.
The starting mechanism was an invention of
Cleoita, which was perfected by Aristides. At
one end of the racecourse was the round
altar of Tarakippos, and the horses were
unexpectedly paniced when they passed
from this point.

20. Other sports
Games of preachers and
trumpeters
In addition to the athletes,
the preachers and the
trumpeters were
distinguished in Olympia.
They participated in races
that were introduced at
the 96th Olympiad, in 396
BC, and the winners had a
privileged role during their
accomplishment.
Games of preachers and
trumpeters
In addition to the athletes,
the preachers and the
trumpeters were
distinguished in Olympia.
They participated in races
that were introduced at
the 96th Olympiad, in 396
BC, and the winners had a
privileged role during their
accomplishment.

21. THANKS
We would like to thank our teachers :
Maria Tarla,
Anna Stefanidou,
Teresa Kladi,
Panos Giovanopoulos,
Matoula Tsoureka
for their help in carrying this Workshop
out!