IMPORTANCE

SITE

OLYMPIAD

Duration

Games

Introduction

Training

1st - 2nd day

3rd - 5th day

Awards

Special honours

RULES

ATHLETIC EVENTS

OLYMPIC VICTORS

ART

Training in the athlete's city

The athlete started training in his homeland from his childhood. Through training he aimed at the development of his physical abilities, and the improvement of his technique. The educators were members of the following categories: the paidotribai (who exercised the body), the gymnastai (the gymnasts, trainers for athletic exercises, who required substantial fees) and the aleiptai. The latter were responsible for anointing the athletes' body with oil and massaging their muscles.

The profession of the trainer became highly specialized during antiquity. Aristotle pointed out that the Greeks disagreed more on the navigation of ships rather than on training, because the navigation techniques are less developed than training! If an athlete could not cover the expenses of training, so as to be able to participate in the Olympic Games, his city undertook the responsibility to hire a trainer to supervise him.

 

Topography:
Short description of the monuments at ancient Olympia

3D reconstructions:
Some of the most important buildings in ancient Olympia rendered in three-dimensions.

VRML:
3D reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in ancient Olympia.

Other games:
Short reference on other famous contests in ancient Greece

In the first person:
Young Ariston shares his experience in the Olympic Games

Olympic victors:
Database of the ancient Olympic victors based on each athletic event and each Olympiad

Specimen sources

Bibliography