The first written record of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece is from 776 B.C. and tells about a man named Coroebus, who ran a footrace and was awarded a wreath of olive branches. The games were held to honor the gods. Although there are archeological remains from earlier dates, experts use this date as the official start of the Olympic Games. Only men were originally allowed to participate. These men had to have enough wealth to travel to and from the games and to train for the 10 months prior to the games. Women were barred from even watching and the penalty was death.
By the time of the 128th Olympics, women were allowed to participate and watch. Records show that footraces, chariot races, pentathlon, and the brutal sport “pancratium” which combined wrestling, strangling, gouging and strangling (which often ended in death) were some of the early Olympic sports. At their peak, the Olympics were large scale events where rival cities ceased fighting to compete at the games which included feasting, religious ceremonies, and where business (trade agreements and politics (cease-fire treaties) was conducted.
When the Romans conquered the Greeks, the games fell into decline because they were no longer about religion and patriotism, but about the prizes and money the Romans wanted to win for themselves. Cheating and bribery was increased and the games began a brutal form of entertainment. In 393 AD, with the spread of Christianity, Roman Emperor Theodosius banned all pagan rituals included the Olympics. All Olympic structures were destroyed by invaders and natural disasters.
The first modern day Olympics was held in Greece in 1896 due to the work of a French man to bring them back. Since then the Olympics have been held every four years in cities around the world. The ancient "Olympic Games brought together people throughout the Greek world". Today the Olympic games bring together people throught out the entire world.
Knight, Theodore. "The Ancient Olympics." The Ancient World. 167-73. Print.
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