The Olympic Games, the greatest celebration of Ancient Greece, were the most famous and splendid games in the ancient world. They took place every four years, lasted for five days, and for almost twelve centuries they were the meeting point of Greeks from all regions of the Mediterranean. In the Olympic Games, during which a truce was observed, meaning a cessation of hostilities throughout Greece, tens of thousands of citizens from mainland Greece, Africa, Lower Italy and Sicily, the Black Sea and the Anatolian coasts participated, either as athletes or spectators.
This book is based on texts by ancient Greek writers, on depictions of athletic scenes in ancient works of art, as well as on the findings of excavations. It is a fascinating journey to Ancient Olympia and the Olympic Games, describing their terms and procedures, as well as the events and victories of great athletes who amazed the crowds with their achievements.