The Olympic Games were the most important celebration of the ancient Greek world. They were considered a symbol of Panhellenic unity, as Olympia was transformed into a significant religious center similar to Delphi. From 776 BC to 393 AD, 293 Olympiads were recorded and over 170 cities competed. While the first Olympics had only one event, they gradually expanded and ended up organizing games with 16 events, many of which are included in today's program. Great athletes participated in these games and achieved the position they deserved in events such as the stadium race, the diaulos, the dolichos, the hoplite race, the pentathlon (which included discus, running, wrestling, javelin, and chariot racing), chariot races and horse races, as well as wrestling, discus, javelin, and long jump. Twelve centuries of the Olympic Games provided entertainment to the public and honor to the athletes, bestowed titles, and put names in the place of myth.
This book takes us on a journey to the organization of the games in Ancient Greece and is based on valuable philological, historical, epigraphic, and primary archaeological material that presents and highlights ancient Greek athletic activities.