Natasha+and+Bryce

**The Ancient Olympic Games**

**By: Natasha Joseph & Bryce PaneGasser** THE BEGINNING OF THE OLYMPICS AND THE PEOPLE WHO COMPETED The Olympic Games started in 776 B.C. to honor the Greek god Zeus. The Olympics were always held in Olympia named after Mt. Olympus where the gods were believed to live. One month before the games started a messenger would and announced a sacred truce(peace) because the city-states were always at war with each other. Men were to show strength,agility,and bravery to prove that they were the best. Some of the cities that competed were Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Argos, and Megara. Spartans were taught to lie,cheat,or do what ever it takes to win. They were very brutal and took out competition with force. On the other hand Athenians used their brain and knowledge in art and science to calculate and win. The Athenians also were aware that the Spartans liked to cheat but instead disqualifying them and tell the judges they tried to beat them at there own game without cheating. Corinthians were taught in all around subjects and to make peace.Corinthians used common sense and general knowledge to solve their problems and were good in all categories. Argive citizens were also taught to make peace in war but the had skill in the musical arts.People were known to travel far and wide just to see the Argive citizens perform. Megarians excelled in literature, art, culture, and business which were put to the test in the Olympics. When someone won in one of the catergories they were honored or praised and their accomplishments were remembered for future generations. All these athletes were very brave and trained but what were the events they were training for?

THE EVENTS OF THE FIRST OLYMPIC GAMES

there were many types of events in the ancient Olympic game now ill take you into the past to learn about who and what were in the games.. RUNNING-  this was a very important event. there are 3 different foot races. the shortest is a 200 yard race called stade. As they began they ran straight till they finished. PUGME(BOXING)-  Kids and adult would go and punch out till some one was knocked out or they told them they were defeated. No rounds playing till they were down. Pankration-  this sport is a mix between wrestling and boxing. when the opponent was thrown to the ground the other team would get a point. there were only two rules no biting or puncturing the eyes,nose,mouth, or fingernails. THE DISCUS - this was made from metal or stone and weighted 5 to 8 pounds. this made men stronger and they could trough up to 91 yards (the world record from along time ago) JAVELIN  - was were men threw a spear across the Field trying to get the farthest <span style="background-color: #ff00ff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">HORSE RACES- <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> a horse and it owner would go through many hard obstacles to the finish who ever was at the finish first won. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even till today we have the Olympic. well now we have a lot more games. Now you know a little more about the the first events of the Olympics.

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