Ancient Olympics
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/9/16595260/5025015.jpg?298)
The ancient Olympics were always held in southern greece, at Olympia. The games were held every four years in about August or September. These ancient games were held to honor the Father god, Zeus, who had a stadium where the games were held. Greeks even measured their years reference of the Olympics. If there was a war going on, they were brought to truces just in time for the games so they could have competitors. The games lasted for five days, and only men were allowed to compete. Women weren't even allowed to watch anything that went on at the games. Ancient Olympic events included: foot-races, pentathlon, wrestling, boxing, pankration, amour-wear foot-race, and horse chariot races. All events except for that armour-wearing races and chariot races took place in the nude. Fighting events were very violent, and people sometimes died. Every winner would get a crown on wild olive leaves, and some places would offer a variety of additional prizes if any of their citizens who won. There weren't second or third place prizes, either.
There was another and separate competition aside from the Olympics. It was called the Heraia, in honor of Zeus' wife, Hera. Only women could compete, and it was held every four years, but different years of the Olympics. The women wore tunics above the knee. The modern Olympics started up again in 1896 by a frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin. The Olympics are still very popular and people travel from everywhere to come see them, and now, women can compete.
There was another and separate competition aside from the Olympics. It was called the Heraia, in honor of Zeus' wife, Hera. Only women could compete, and it was held every four years, but different years of the Olympics. The women wore tunics above the knee. The modern Olympics started up again in 1896 by a frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin. The Olympics are still very popular and people travel from everywhere to come see them, and now, women can compete.