Sport in ancient Greece

Sports Festivals

Ancient Greeks believed that the gods gave athletes their courage and strength. Every set of sporting games was dedicated to a god. Before the games started athletes prayed to the gods to give them strength so that they would win. They would often make an offering to a god as well. On the vase in the picture you can see a young athlete pouring an offering of wine onto an altar which flames are rising from.

Men from any Greek city could compete in the Olympic games, the Pythian games, the Isthmian games, and the Nemean games. There was also a women's contest at Olympia, called the Heraia, which was separate from the men's games.