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Content: The Olympics in Ancient Greece
Indroduction to the Olympics in Anceint Greece
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The Olympics in Ancient Greece
The first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. They were held for five days every four years as a part of a religious festival to Zeus, the king of the gods. A two-month truce was called throughout Greece to insure the safety of those traveling to and from the events. Conflicts and wars between city-states were halted during this time. The five most common events at the Olympics were wrestling, running, long jump, discus, and javelin. Another event was an all-out fighting match called the pankration. In this event, almost everything was legal except biting or eye gauging. Chariot racing was another favorite event at the games. Two-or-four horse teams pulled the chariots. Chariots raced twelve laps around posts at either end of a circular course. Often thirty or more chariots raced making for a crowded field where collisions were common.