6.1
Fun and games… or hard work?
Everyone has heard of the Olympic Games, where people come together to take part in sporting events. However there was much more than that involved in the Ancient Greek Games. The Olympic Games were first held in Olympia, in Ancient Greece. Any free-born man, from anywhere in the whole Greek Empire, had a right to compete in the Games. Winning would make him famous.
Chariot racing shown on a Greek vase
Honouring the dead It is thought that the very first Greek Games were held to honour soldiers killed in battle. In Homer’s The Iliad, Achilles ordered a series of contests for his friend Patroclus, who had been killed during the Trojan Wars. Running, as shown on an After the Games, which began with chariot Athenian vase racing, they held a huge feast to remember the dead hero.
Honouring the gods Greeks thought that one of the best ways to honour their gods was to be very fit. To them, it was logical that the Games were held in sacred places, as they hoped the Games would keep the gods happy. There were Games in Athens, in honour of Athena; in Delphi, to honour Apollo; and at Corinth. However the most famous Games were at Olympia, in honour of Zeus, king of the gods. Men arriving at the Games were expected to make gifts to the gods, and swear to obey the rules in front of the altar in the temple.
32
6.1 Fun and games… or hard work?
Having fun The Games were a great social event too. People would meet up, catch up on all the news and gossip, or have a party. At the Olympic Games, for example, 100 cows were sacrificed at the start of the Games. Then offerings were made to Zeus, and the rest of the meat was shared out among everyone who was there. As ordinary Greeks rarely ate meat, this was a special occasion! Games were so popular that sometimes 20,000 men were there. Women were not allowed to compete in the Games.
A Greek amphora showing jumping. The athlete is holding iron or stone weights in each hand to help him jump further
Training for war The Games had a much more serious role too. They were seen as an ideal way to prepare young men for war. War was almost a way of life, as the Greek city-states were often fighting each other. Many of the events required great fitness and developed the skills that hoplites needed in order to fight effectively. Good soldiers needed discipline, fitness and courage. It was thought that these qualities were best developed by sport.
Think about it! 1. Which was the most important reason for the Greeks holding the Games? 2. Why do you think people went to watch the Games?
Let’s do it! 1. Find out more about the funeral Games that Achilles held for Patroclus. Which other events did the Athenian soldiers compete in? What were the prizes? 2. Why do you think women were banned from the Games? 3. In your opinion, were the Games fun or hard work?
Key word sacrificed
33