Ancient Olympics
Some records show that the ancient olympics started in 776 BC, Olympia Greece. The games were usually held over a period of time called the olympiad or every 4 years. Since competitors had to travel to get to the olympics so there was an olympic truce held in place throughout the celebration. Only men who spoke fluent greek were allowed to participate in the ancient olympics. At first the olympic games only consisted of 1 day and had only one event called the stadion, it measured between 180m to 240m.
Events
Equestrian events:
There were two types of horse racing, the first was chariot racing and then there was horse back riding. The chariot races were over 12 laps of the stadium and could either be 2 horses pulling or 4 horses. The horse back riding events were over 6 laps of the stadium and the jockeys rode bareback, There were separate events for foals (younger horses) and adult horses.
Boxing:
Boxing was different to our modern type of boxing, there was no rule that you weren't allowed to hit a competitor if he was down and there was no rounds. The way to find a winner was if the opposition was knocked out or admitted defeat.
Running:
There was 4 running events held in Olympia, the stadion and 3 other runs that had ranging distances. there was also a run that was 572m long with the players wearing full armor. There was no marathon, that was made for the modern olympics further down the track.
Pankration:
Pankration was an event that mixed boxing and wrestling together but biting, gauging the opponents eyes, nose and mouth was not allowed.
Pentathlon:
This event included five separate events, Discus, Javelin, Long jump, Running and wrestling.
There were two types of horse racing, the first was chariot racing and then there was horse back riding. The chariot races were over 12 laps of the stadium and could either be 2 horses pulling or 4 horses. The horse back riding events were over 6 laps of the stadium and the jockeys rode bareback, There were separate events for foals (younger horses) and adult horses.
Boxing:
Boxing was different to our modern type of boxing, there was no rule that you weren't allowed to hit a competitor if he was down and there was no rounds. The way to find a winner was if the opposition was knocked out or admitted defeat.
Running:
There was 4 running events held in Olympia, the stadion and 3 other runs that had ranging distances. there was also a run that was 572m long with the players wearing full armor. There was no marathon, that was made for the modern olympics further down the track.
Pankration:
Pankration was an event that mixed boxing and wrestling together but biting, gauging the opponents eyes, nose and mouth was not allowed.
Pentathlon:
This event included five separate events, Discus, Javelin, Long jump, Running and wrestling.