Download Greek Olympics

The Olympic Games
Chapter 4
Ancient Greece
World History
The Ancient Olympics
• Began in 776 BC at Olympia, Greece
• Originally a religious ceremony in honor of
the Greek gods.
– 100 oxen were sacrificed at the beginning of
the Games
– “Olympic Truce:” All wars and battles were
halted so that everyone could come and
watch the Games.
– Based on 4-year periods called Olympiads
Original Running Track
Olympia, Greece
The Olympic Athlete
• Only men could
participate
• Men had to play in the
nude or with very little
clothing (“gymnos”)
• Running was the only
event at the very first
games
Rules
In wrestling…
• No biting,
• No eye gouging,
• Breaking an
opponent’s limbs was
illegal,
In boxing…
• Both men participated
until one gave up or
died
• In Greece, there was no
Second Place—
”If you’re not first , your
last”
• Only winners were
honored, the losers were
ignored
• Winners were given a
laurel wreath for their
head
The end of the Ancient Games
• Ended in 394 AD by
the Roman Emperor
Theodosius, who was
a Christian
• Considered them
“pagan” games
The Modern Games
• Revived in 1896 and
first hosted in Athens,
Greece
• No women allowed to
take part
• Medals replaced the
laurel wreaths
Berlin, 1936
• Hosted by the Nazis
• Germans believe they
were the best athletes
in the world
• Jessie Owens, a
Black American
runner, won four
medals and shattered
that myth
Munich, 1972
• Terrorists took several
Israeli athletes
hostage
• They were killed as
they were being
rescued
Atlanta, 1996
• Centennial of the
Games
• Many thought it would
go to Athens, Greece
• 10,000+ athletes took
part
• Bomb exploded in
Centennial Park
The Olympics Come Home
Athens 2004
• Over 10,000 athletes
to take part
• Pumped over
$1billion into the
Greek economy
Olympics Medals awarded in Athens
Silver
Gold
Bronze
Olympics Assignment
• Create a new games, which will include 6 of the
original events (footrace, boxing, wrestling,
javelin, discus, chariot race) and 6 new ones.
List those out on your poster.
• Draw/Design your Olympic stadium/village
(this is where the events will be held).
• Choose a place on the globe where you will hold
these games (city, country, etc..)
• Group will be able to explain why they chose
their 6 new events and describe what your
group would change about the original 6 events.