The Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. in honor of Zeus, every fourth year (olympiad) at Olympia which is in the region of Elis on the peninsula of Peloponnesos. According to greek myth, this land is also known as the land of Pelops who was known as the founder of the Olympic Games.
The events were held for five days during the hottest part of summer. The games functioned as a right of passage for young boys as well as a way to honor the gods. The events mirrored the culture of early Greek society: male athletes became the idealized heroes and gods were the founders of the games (Herrmann 48).
The only event that existed during the first thirteen Olympic Games was the stadion or the stade-race. The stadion was a 200 yard (180-metre) sprint that existed alone from 776 until 724 B.C. Throughout the mid-7th century new combat events were introduced to the program such as Upright Wrestling (708), Boxing (688), Pankration (648), as well as chariot-races which came last (648). The games lasted for about ten centuries until Theodosius an Emperor ended them around 391 A.D.
The events were held for five days during the hottest part of summer. The games functioned as a right of passage for young boys as well as a way to honor the gods. The events mirrored the culture of early Greek society: male athletes became the idealized heroes and gods were the founders of the games (Herrmann 48).
The only event that existed during the first thirteen Olympic Games was the stadion or the stade-race. The stadion was a 200 yard (180-metre) sprint that existed alone from 776 until 724 B.C. Throughout the mid-7th century new combat events were introduced to the program such as Upright Wrestling (708), Boxing (688), Pankration (648), as well as chariot-races which came last (648). The games lasted for about ten centuries until Theodosius an Emperor ended them around 391 A.D.