The Ancient Olympic games began around 776 BC in Greece as part of a religious festival honoring Zeus. The games were held in Olympia at the Sanctuary of Zeus, which was named after Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. An Olympic flame representing the theft of fire from Zeus by Prometheus burned continuously throughout the Ancient Olympics.

1. The First Ancient Olympic Games Created by Robert Loring and Cody Sweetman

2. How it all began… The Ancient Olympic games were said to be part of a religious festival in honor of the almighty Greek god, Zeus; originally held in the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia. The sanctuary had gotten its name from Mt. Olympos, said to be the home of all the greatest Greek gods and goddesses. The very first Olympic games was held somewhere around 776 B.C.

3. The Olympic Flame Statue from the running of the Flame during Ancient times. The Olympic Flame is a symbol of the Olympic Games; signaling the theft of fire from Zeus by Prometheus. The Flame kept burning all throughout the Ancient Olympics.