In ancient greece, athletic festivals were very important and had strong religious associations. The Olympian athletic festival, held every four years in honor of Zeus eventually lost its local character and became, first, a national event, and then, after the rules against foreign competitors had been waived, international. No one knows exactly how far back the Olympic Games go, but some official records date from 776 BC.
The Games took place in August on the plain by Mount Olympus. Many thousands of spectators gathered from all parts of Greece, but no married woman was admitted even as a spectator. Slaves, women and dishonored persons were not allowed to compete.
The exact sequence of events is uncertain, but events included boys' gymnastics; discus and javelin throwing, and the very important foot races. There was also boxing and wrestling and special tests of varied ability in running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing and wrestling. The evening of the third day was devoted to sacrificial offerings to the heroes of the day, and the fourth day that of the full moon, was set as a holy day.
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