The ancient Olympics were an event where
participants from all over Greece and as far as the
Mediterranean participated. It started in 776 BC.
Married women and slaves were banned from
participating and watching the Olympics in ancient
Greece. Only free young males had the right to be a
part of the Olympic games, despite their social
status. Many famous personalities participated and
supported the games. This was a very prestigious
event and the winner was awarded with an Olive
Wreath, also known as Kotinos and big celebrations
in their home place. They were awarded by large sum
of money and poets used to write poems to signify
their talents.
The king of Macedonia and son of Amyndas, Alexander
I; the general from Megara, Orsippos; philosopher
Plato; philosopher Socrates; philosopher Pythagoras;
philosopher Aristotle; philosopher Democritus; the
member of the royal family from Rhodes, Diagoras;
the father of medicine, Hippocrates; shepherd
Polymnistor, are some of the well-known athletes of
ancient Greece.
Goddess of fertility and Priestess of Demeter were
honored during the games and was given a seating
position just next to the stadium altar. Only
married women were not allowed to be spectators or
participants at the Olympic games. But unwed women
were allowed to watch the events. Whoever dared to
break the rules was thrown from the top of the
cliff.
Women were finally given a chance to participate in
the Herean Games, which was conducted to honor the
wife of Zeus, Hera. It started with foot races
initially. Hippodameia made an administrators'
committee consisting of sixteen women. The sixteen
females were considered to be peacemakers from Elis
and Pisa.
Among the well-known athletes, Milon was a very
versatile athlete. He was the pupil of philosopher
and mathematician, Pythagoras. He was from Kroton,
South Italy. He had won six Wreaths in Olympic
Wrestling, which still remains one of a kind victory
till this date. His first victory was in the youth
wrestling event and the rest five were in the
men-wrestling event. He won ten championships in the
Isthmian games, nine championships in the Nemean
games and seven championships in the Pythain games.
He even won in many of the other events.
Also born in Kroton, South Italy, Astylos had won
six victory Olive Wreaths in a total of three
Olympic games. He was very good at the Stade race
and Diaulos race. He represented Kroton in the first
Olympic and he won in that, for which the residents
of Kroton honored him. After that, he took part in
two of the Olympics as a citizen of Syracuse. The
Krotons disgraced him by tearing down his statue and
replacing his house with a prison.
Leonidas won four times consecutively at the
Olympiads. He was from Phodes and was the most well
known runner. He was a champion in Stade race,
Armour race and Dialous race. In all, he won twelve
Olympics Wreaths. He was a great hero for the
people.
The first woman known to be a winner at the Olympics
was Kyniska of Sparta. She was the daughter of King
Archidamos. In the 96th and the 97th Olympic games,
she also won the horse chariot race.
Melankomas was from Karia and was a winner in the
Olympic boxing championship. He was a very hard
working athlete. He used to do vigorous training by
fighting for two days continuously with out lowering
his hands. He was known for his swift moves and he
used to win without even getting a single blow from
his opponent.
