The Olympic Games began in 776 BC in Greece and were held every four years in Olympia in honor of Zeus. Only free Greek men could compete in just nine sports. The Games continued for over 1000 years until being abolished in 393 AD by the Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius I who deemed them pagan. The modern Olympic Games have been held every four years since 1896, usually alternating between Summer and Winter events, in different host cities around the world.