A short history of the ancient olympics
The first recorded Olympics was in 776 B.C, where Games were held every four years in the valley of Olympia in southwestern Greece. The opening of the games was marked by a lighting of a flame at the altar of Zeus. There was only one event, which was the 200 meter dash. At first Women were not allowed to participate in the games, but later in later years the rules changed to where women could participate. The first recorded MALE Olympic champion was Koroibos, from Elis in a 200 meter dash as he ran naked. The first FEMALE champion was Kyniska of Sparta, who won the tethrippon twice. Time went on and new events were added, like wrestling, boxing, four-horse chariot race of 14,000 meters called tethrippon, long jump, discus throw, and javelin throw were some of the new events added. With every largely concentrated event there is always some problems that happen; cases of cheating, bribery, and even boycotts showed up. By getting through all of the problems the games began to expand to the Macedonian empire and the Roman empire. To get all the empires/ countries into competing and to allow atheletes a safe passage to and from the Olympic games, a hieromenia (a month long truce) was set. The awards given at the Olympics were just an olive wreathe, but you recieve great honor back in your homeland. After lasting for 1,100 years, it would be another 1,500 years before they were revived.