The original Olympics held in Greece starting in 776 BC honored the god Zeus. Events included running, long jump, wrestling, and chariot racing. Only men could compete nude. The first recorded winner was a cook who won the 200 yard dash. Women were not allowed to compete or watch, though a Spartan woman did once win a chariot race by owning the winning horse rather than competing herself. Victors received olive branch crowns and praise as heroes in their home cities.

1. Olympics
Greek Style

2. When & Where
• The first Olympics were in
the year 776 BC.
• They were first held in a
valley at the base of Mt.
Olympus.
• The original games were held
to honor the god Zeus.
• The games turned into a way
to see which polis had the
greatest warriors.

3. What were the games like?
• The first Olympic event recorded
was a 200 yard dash. A young
cook named Coroebus of Elis won
this event.
• There were two types of a running
events, fully armored and nude.
• Some of the other events included
spear throwing (javelin throw),
wrestling, discus, long jump,
boxing, chariot racing, and
pankration
• Very few team events.

4. Who could compete?
• Only men where allowed to compete in the original
games.
• Women weren’t even allowed to watch the games.
• One of the reasons was because the men competed in
the nude.
• Even though women were not allowed to compete,
there was one woman that won an event.
• HOW?

5. Who could this woman be?
•A Spartan
Woman of
Course. 

6. What did she win?
• The woman won a chariot race.
• No she did not compete, in the early Olympics
not only did the athlete win, but so did the
owner of the horse.
• In fact, she didn’t even get to watch the race.

7. Winning!
• Victors of the events received
a crown of olive branches.
• But more importantly, they
were regarded as heroes in
their cities.
• In most polis’, the “hero”
would be given a parade, and
a new entrance would be
made in the city’s wall.
(except for Sparta, WHY?)