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Research paper do politics belong in the olympics
History of Olympics Essay
History of Olympics Essay
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The Olympic Games were a sporting contest that are likely to have started in 776 BC. They were held every four years (every Olympiad) in Olympia, originally lasting one day but by their ban in 393 AD they could span for up to five days. As to their origin, there are many different theories that have been discussed by historians – ideas ranging from King Iphitos of Elis asking the Oracle how to end civil wars, to entertainment for the newborn Zeus – either way, the Games seem to have started for other purposes (namely religious or political purposes) as opposed to ‘just for fun’.
The politics of the ancient Olympic Games had a dominant influence – one could argue that the sporting contests were just a vehicle through which political influence could be exercised. The games became a platform for politicians, allowing them to announce new political alliances at the games. They were also used by city-states (independent entities consisting of a city and perhaps its surrounding territory) to proclaim supremacy over other city-state and rivals.
As well as producing victors, city-states and other countries found other sly ways to gain influence. As well as participating in the athletic and equestrian contests of the games, political tyrants of the 6th and 7th centuries BC dedicated profligate offerings to the golden statue of Zeus at the Olympic site. This flamboyant show of religious dedication gained the tyrants favor in the eyes of the gods and this, they believed, would help them emerge victorious in battles of any sort, as well as making them seem wealthy and powerful in the eyes of their enemies.
We can learn from Plutarch that the spectators (50000 of which could fit into the stadium) themselves at least cared more for politics th...
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...ing and closing the five days with sport shunted in between. The statue of Zeus created by Pheidas, arguably the best artistic offering to Zeus, standing at 13m and crafted from solid gold, was located at Olympia for a reason – the Olympics were a hive of activity and worship, more so than a hive of activity and sport/politics. The Games were held in honour of Zeus, and attending the Games was seen as making a pilgrimage to his most sacred place (i.e. the grove, known as the Altis).
In conclusion, I believe that the Olympic Games were undeniably a political event, and they were clearly a sporting event too – although religion, I have found, dominated the festival as opposed to sports or politics. The Olympic Games was much more of a religious festival than a political event or a sporting contest, although on the whole, the Games were in reality a blend of all three.
Since 776 BCE, the Olympics have been a way for people of different cultures to come together and compete in friendly competition. In 1892 the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, although it had been over a thousand years since the last game it still had brought together an assortment of different religions and ethnic groups together. Many factors shaping the Olympic Games reflect the changes that have taken place in our world since the last game in 393 CE in Greece such changes include woman’s suffrage, global economy, world wars, and proving competency.
Athletic events at this time were also closely related to the religious beliefs and practices of the Greek citizens. Each competition was devoted to a specific pagan god. For example, the patron of the Olympics was Zeus. The Greeks believed that the physical strength and ability of athletes was a direct gift from the gods (http://www.meiaconcerto.com/olympic/olympia/ideal_o.php, September 27, 2004). Therefore, each athlete competed not only in honor of his city-state, but also in honor of the gods.
...m. This huge circular arena was the pinnacle of the Roman Gladiatorial games, and though it isn't fully intact, it is a great reminder of ancient culture. Though today these games seem inhumane and unnecessary, to their ancient culture it was a vacation from everyday stress. Even the Emperor was said to understand that though money and grain would satisfy and individual, large spectacles were necessary for the contentment of the masses' (wes civ).
In Ancient Greece they formed the Greek Olympics in the year 776 B.C in which participants participate to honor the gods and demonstrate their physical abilities. What was amazing was that those who participated were only participating in honor and not prizes. Something that they would win was the olive wreath which was basically winning the honor and recognition of the people and the gods. Comparing to the ancient time and now is that there are now commercialized, endorsements, and sponsorships for athletes to represent companies in the Olympics. However, the Olympics still hold true to the idea that it is still a place for participants compete with the best in the world for the honor (gold,silver, and bronze medal). Also, if we look at the sculpture of the Diskobolos made by Myron of Eleutherae it represented the general athlete in motion and would symbolize the ancient times athlete. But something that is different about now and the Greek ...
Alan Baker states in his book The Gladiator – The Secret History of Rome’s Warrior Slaves that, “attendance at the amphitheater was an essential part of being a Roman, a member of a powerful warrior state” (Baker 2000, 39). It is said that the Romans were known for their honor and glory as a reflection of the society they lived in. This may perhaps explain why the gladiator games were popular to the citizens, because the Romans enjoyed observing these characteristics throughout the battles. Most of the time the contestants were slaves, these individuals were bought and traded at the coliseum with the intentions of battling in these games until their death.
time to time the Greeks held ceremonies of Games in honor of their god Zeus.
Modern Day Olympics are a huge tradition that sweeps the screens of televisions across the world. Competitors take the arena with uniforms that dawn their countries colors and designs that are meant to resemble their designated flag. For months the news is centered around the games; the preparation, the athletes, and of course the competition. Countries aren 't obsessed, they are inspired and full of pride seeing athletes from their country compete and show their incredible skill. This tradition dates back to ancient Greece where the games began. Tony Perrottet writes about the traditions of the ancient game in his book The Naked Olympics.
The Ancient Greek Olympics were not only sporting events, it was a celebration to honor the great and powerful Zeus. The Ancient Olympics were held every four years at the famous Olympia, a district of Elis, here all free Greek men were allowed to compete. The first record of the Olympic Games was held in 776 B.C. The main sports were the Pentathlon, the Equestrian Events, Pankration, and Boxing.
Politics is the art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs. The Olympic Games is an event held every 4 years, which includes a variety of sporting activities in which different countries compete against one another. “Sport is frequently a tool of diplomacy”. By sending delegations of athletes abroad, states can establish a first basis for diplomatic relations or can more effectively maintain such relations” (Espy 3). One might think that politics and the Olympics have nothing to do with each other, but in fact, they do have a lot in common.
The Olympic Games are the leading worldwide sport event that held every 4 years, featuring thousands of international athletes from more than 200 nations participating in a variety of sports competitions. Although the Games are about winning the sports competitions, they also provide a platform for the nations throughout the world to learn different cultures and share uniqueness. The Games are important, and have to be held because they transmit a message of friendship and peaceful between nations.
The Olympic Games were started by the Greeks a long time ago. It was in the honor of Zeus, the kings of the gods and were part of a religious festivals. They started in 776 B.C. The games were held every four years in Olympia, which is located in southeast Greece. People came from all around Greece to take part or just watch the games. Events in the Ancient Olympic Games were boxing, chariot racing, riding, pentathlon, discus, javelin, jump, running, and wrestling. Events in modern Olympic Games are swimming, diving,
The central part was dominated by the temple of Zeus and parallel to it was the temple of Hera, Zeus wife. The people that came to this sanctuary shared the same religious beliefs. The Olympic Games was an important event that was held every four years. The games were a time of union, grandeur, excellence, internationalism and history. All of the contestants came from different parts of the Greek world to compete for the definitive prize which was the olive wreath and also to return to their city-state as heroes and to bring honor to themselves and their families.
It wasn’t just a game to the Greeks. The ancient Olympics were part of a religious festival, with many opportunities that attracted the Greeks, and made them feel like they had to go. The ancient Olympic games were “the ultimate pagan entertainment package” ( Perrottet 11). It was a combination of
A story that is widely known about how the Olympics came to be is one in which Heracles was the creator and he was the one who made the stadium as an honor to his father Zeus after completing his twelve labors. The winner would be crowned victorious with the same olive wreath that the future Olympic participants would wear if victorious. Though now an olive wreath may sound insignificant this award was sacred to them. It was also considered to be a symbol of wisdom, peace, glory, and prosperity. In the 2004 the summer Olympics came back to Athens, Greece where they had their own interpretation of the traditional games. Such things as awarding the winner with the olive wreath were repeated in honor of the old ways and the fact that that was where it all started made it obviously more
Ancient Olympics The ancient Olympics had some differences from the modern Games. There were fewer events, and only free men who spoke Greek could compete, instead of athletes from any country. Women where not allowed to even watch the games on penalty of death let alone play in them.. Also, the games were always held at Olympia in Greece instead of being moved around to different sites every time. But also they had some similarities to our modern Olympics, winning athletes were heroes who put their home towns on the map, and became financially sound for life. The conflict between the Olympic's ideals of sportsmanship and unity and the commercialism and political acts which accompany the Games where also present in ancient times. "Sotades at the ninety-ninth Festival was victorious in the long race and proclaimed a Cretan, as in fact he was. But at the next Festival he made himself an Ephesian, being bribed to do so by the Ephesian people. For this act he was banished by the Cretans."