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Friday 3rd June 2011
Up and off today to our final Greek sightseeing destination that of the ancient site of Olympia where the original Olympic games were founded. The first stage looked easy on the map, about 80 miles of motorway, and started as expected following signs for the A8 to Patras. However either we missed the turning ? ( I don't think so ) or this mostly imaginary motorway is still under construction for some 70 miles. During this epic we endured endless roadworks with 'interesting' lane changes, thousands of cones and some absolutely spectacular Greek driving but thankfully no traffic jams. They even had the cheek to charge a toll for one section that was restricted to a single lane in each direction and in a poor state of repair ! Which just goes to prove you should not believe everything you read especially where Greek maps are involved. The second stage of the journey ( non motorway ) was actually much better and we arrived late afternoon and took advantage of the pool before an early dinner.
Saturday 4th June 2011
Away early ( for us ) at 0930 to the archaeological site of Olympia
the sanctuary of ancient Greece known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times.
The games were first held in 776 BC in honour of Zeus and thereafter every Olympiad i.e. every four years. They were part of the Panhellenic Games, four separate games held at two- or four-year intervals, but arranged so that there was at least one set of games every year. These were the Olympic ( Olympia ), Pythian ( Delphi ), Nemean ( Nemea ), and Isthmian ( Corinth ) Games all four of which we have now visited on this tour.
The classical period, between the 5th and 4th centuries BC, was the golden age of the site at Olympia. A wide range of new religious and secular buildings and structures were constructed The Temple of Zeus was built in the middle of the 5th century BC. Its size, scale and ornamentation was beyond anything previously constructed on the site. It was known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of the god that it housed and was named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Further sporting facilities, including the final iteration of the stadium, and
a hippodrome (for chariot-racing) were also constructed then.
Only free men who spoke Greek were allowed to participate in the Ancient Games of classical times. To be in the Games, the athletes had to qualify and have their names written in the lists. Before being able to participate, every participant had to take an oath in front of the statue of Zeus, saying that he had been in training for ten months.
At first, the Olympic Games lasted only one day, but eventually grew to five days.
The Greek tradition of athletic nudity was adopted by the Olympics after possibly being introduced by the Spartans and the prizes for the victors were olive wreaths.
Originally there was only one event: - the stadion race, a sprint race over about 190 metres (620 ft). The word stadium is derived from this foot race.
The diaulos, or two-stade race, was introduced in 724 BC, during the 14th Olympic games. The race was a single lap of the stadium, approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft).
A third foot race, the dolichos, was introduced in 720 BC and was 18–24 laps, or about three miles (5 km). For this race the runners would
begin and end their event in the stadium proper, but the race course would wind its way through the Olympic grounds.
The last running event added to the Olympic program was the hoplitodromos, or "Hoplite race", introduced in 520 BC and traditionally run as the last race of the Olympic Games. The runners would run either a single or double diaulos (approximately 400 or 800 yards) in full or partial armour, carrying a shield and additionally equipped either with greaves or a helmet. As the armour weighed between 50 and 60 lb (27 kg), the hoplitodromos emulated the speed and stamina needed for warfare.
Over the years, more events were added: boxing, wrestling, a very bloody full-contact fighting event, chariot racing, and several other running events as well as a pentathlon, consisting of wrestling, stadion, long jump, javelin, and discus.
During the Roman period, the games were opened up to all citizens of the Roman Empire.
The 3rd AD century saw the site suffer heavy damage from a series of earthquakes.
Despite the destruction the Olympic festival continued to be held at the site until the last Olympiad in 393 AD, after which a decree from the Christian emperor,
Theodosius I implemented a ban.
The boys were interested to learn that the Olympic flame of the modern-day Olympic Games is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror in front of the Temple of Hera and then transported by a torch to the place where the games are held - next is London in 2012.
The museum contains the stunning finds from the site these include amongst many more :
The Helmet of Miltiades - the helmet worn by the Athenian general in the battle of Marathon, where he defeated the Persians, and thus offered it to Zeus as a sign of gratitude.
Bronze battering ram - The only surviving besieging instrument of its kind from Antiquity. with symbolic depictions of rams heads, from where indeed it got its name.
Quite amazing for us geeks of ancient history !
On to our staging post near Patras until Tuesday when we leave for Bari, Italy on the overnight ferry - camping on board i.e. sleeping on open deck in the van.
The site has a good taverna overlooking the sea with a 1000 year old olive tree offering shade and steps down
to the sea very welcome with the temperatures now in the low 30's.
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duncan spencer
non-member comment
Wonderful Trip
Hi Paul, What a trip, what a history lesson ! I hope the boys are enjoying this experience. I can imagine how much fun you are having. All the best, Duncan