OLYMPIA!!!!

This morning we woke in the village of Olympia. Home of the original first Olympic games. As we walked through the Olympic grounds I was in awe of the buildings that were once there and the things they must have done on these grounds thousands of years ago.

According to legend the Olympic games began in honor of Zeus by his son Herkales. The games were neglected for many years until some time in 700 B.C. when Iphitos decided to institute the games and a Treaty of truce with thr rulers of Sparta and Pisa. When the athletes and spectators came together any war or disagreements could not be discussed or those involved would be killed. These games helped heal the bond among the Greeks throughout the land. The Olympic games took place every four years until 356 B.C. and the rule of Theodosis the Great.

Dang, do you feel like your in class and being lectued yet??
This is the temple of Zeus. It was built in 470-456 B.C.

Theodosis order the destruction of the temple of Zeus and the Olympic games were moved to Roman land. There was a statue of Zeus here that was once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The statue was burned in Istanbul, Turkey many years later. This is a picture of the statue that was in the Museum.

The introduction Christianity and the disapproval of pageonism and idolatry delayed the Olympic games for many more years in Greece. It was not again until the 1800’s that the “modern” Olympics began.

The Olympic torch was lit at this site and is lit here every time the winter, summer, and special Olympics begins anywhere in the world. Believe it or not it was Hitler who demanded that the lighting of the torch in Greece be a ritual of the Olympic games when he hosted them in Germany.

This is the Temple of Hera (Zeus’s wife). It was constructed in the late 17th century.

This is the cryptoporticus or vaulted entrance to the stadium. Athletes and spectators would all enter through here.

Spectators would sit on the hillsides on the left and the right. The judges would sit in the stone box seen to the right and the only woman present at the games was a statue of Demeter on the left. Only the base that the statue rested on remains.

This is our Aussi friend, Murray, who was feeling the Olympian spirit and decided to run ( 3 times because his wife couldn’t work the video camera correctly) the Olympic field. He made us all smile!

Then Ms. Iten decided we should race! Hahahah! The picture shows her winning. However, that brings me to my next topic…..CHEATERS!

As athletes entered the stadium they would statues of Zeus to their right. These statues were purchased by former cheaters of the games. If an athlete cheated his city/state and he would have to pay for the marble and the artist to make a statue of Zeus. Then the statue would be labeled with the athlete’s name and which city/state he came from. Disgrace would be on display for years. There are 16 stone platforms that stuatues of Zeus sat on.

Guess Ms.Iten will have to hold another fundraiser to pay for her statue!!!



Pictures of me lining up for a race at the original two-stone lines ( the apheseis).

All through Greece you will see the little houses on the sides of the road. The are memorials for people who died in those spots. Inside the houses are relics from that person’s life and it marks a spot for loved ones to come remember their life and soul. I found that to be very touching and such a great idea.