Origins of the Ancient Olympics

The Ancient Olympics began in 776 BCE, held in honor of Zeus, initially featuring just one foot race. Early myths surrounding the games tell of King Pelops, who, after being almost fed to the gods, strategically cheated in a chariot race to win the hand of Hippodamia, leading to a series of curses. Another tale attributes the organization of the games to Heracles, who initiated them after completing his labors. The significance of these games is rooted in their connection to four major athletic events held every four years, reinforcing the cultural importance of athletic competition in ancient Greek society.