The Ancient Olympic Games: A Sacred and Sporting Event
The Ancient Olympic Games: A Fusion of Sports, Religious Rites, and Scandals.
An Intense Sports Program
Initially, the Stadion, a footrace of about 200 meters, was the only event. Over time, other contests were added, including the Diaulos (roughly a 400-meter race), the Dolichos (endurance race), and the Hoplite Dromos, a race in which athletes ran carrying a shield and wearing armor.
The competitions were not without danger. The chariot and horse races were major attractions, often marked by crashes and injuries, similar to the excitement of a modern Formula 1 race. Moreover, ancient athletics also included disciplines such as the pentathlon, which combined five events: running, long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, and wrestling.
Combat sports, such as wrestling and pugilism (the precursor to boxing), were also part of the Games. The pankration, a violent sport blending wrestling and boxing, was another major event. Only two rules applied: no biting and no gouging of the opponent’s eyes.
Deified Athletes and Frequent Scandals
Olympic victors were awarded an olive crown and were seen as heroes by their fellow citizens. Some athletes, like Leonidas of Rhodes, became legends. Leonidas won 12 victories in 12 years across sprint and armored running events. However, the achievements of modern-day swimmer Michael Phelps, with his 23 Olympic titles, surpass these ancient feats.
Ancient athletes were often surrounded by myths and legends. For instance, Milo of Croton, a famed wrestler, was so strong that it was said he could break ropes by flexing his veins. Despite his prowess, he met a tragic end, caught by a tree stump he was trying to split with his bare hands.
However, the glory of the Games was not limited to sporting achievements. Scandals and corruption were rampant. Boxer Oponomos of Thessaly, for instance, attempted to bribe three opponents for victory. Others, such as the Roman Emperor Nero, manipulated the rules to declare themselves winners, even after falling during a chariot race.
A Complex Organization and Rivalries Among City-States
Despite the sacred aspects of the Games, their organization was often chaotic. Major logistical issues, such as water shortages, poor sanitation, and overcrowding, frequently marred the event. Animal sacrifices attracted flies, and outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases were common.
On the political front, the rivalries between the Greek city-states were also reflected in the Games. The famous Olympic truce, meant to ensure the safety of participants, was broken several times. In 420 B.C., Sparta sent soldiers to Elis, violating the truce and leading to their exclusion from the Games that year. Yet, this did not prevent a Spartan athlete from competing under a false name to secure victory.
The End of the Ancient Olympic Games
After centuries of glory and scandals, the ancient Games gradually declined, and in 393 A.D., the Christian Emperor Theodosius I abolished these pagan festivities. The site of Olympia was abandoned, and it was only through the efforts of archaeologists and historians that the history of these legendary Games was reconstructed.
Today, the modern Olympic Games retain some of the ideals of the ancient Games, such as unity among nations, but they are far from the religious and warlike atmosphere of the past. At Paris 2024, events will take place in a more peaceful and sporting context, but the historical dimension remains alive.
