Greece Trip: Olympia and the Games (4.25.24)

On April 25, 2024, we visited Olympia, Greece, where the Olympic Games originated.  From 776 B.C. to 393 A.D., games for the Greek world were held at Olympia.  In 480 B.C. Greek communities received word that the Persians would soon invade.  However, the Greeks couldn't begin to prepare immediately because so many of the men were away at the Olympic Games.  The athletes competed naked, as is illustrated in the design from an ancient Greek vase, above.

It was an all-day round trip, from our hotel near Athens to Olympia and back.  Olympia is in a rural area, on the west side of Greece.  We traveled past many olive groves to get there.

There used to be a huge statue of Zeus at Olympia, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  Some archeologists think the Olympic Games began as a religious festival.

The area where the games took place is long, with viewing areas on the sides.  Archeologists surmise that up to 45,000 people may have gathered for the games.

As with virtually all the ruins we visited, there was a museum which preserved the best statues, armor, and other finds from the excavation.