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The Olympic Games

Home / The Olympic Games

Every four years the Olympic Games are held all over the world with the best athletes competing against one another to bring back the gold medal to their country. In ancient Greece, this was no different as Greek athletes from all over Greece came to Olympia to compete. What do you know about the Ancient Olympics?

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#1. When were the first Olympic Games held?

556 BC

556 BC

667 BC

667 BC

778 BC

778 BC

#2. Which sports did the pentathlon include?

Javelin throwing

Javelin throwing

Running

Running

Wrestling

Wrestling

Chariot racing

Chariot racing

Spear Throwing

Spear Throwing

Boxing

Boxing

Racing

Racing

#3. What is pankration?

A mixture of boxing and wrestling

A mixture of boxing and wrestling

Another name for boxing

Another name for boxing

Athletes wrestling with one another completely naked

Athletes wrestling with one another completely naked

#4. What did an Olympic winner receive?

A wreath made of olive branches

A wreath made of olive branches

A vase filled with oil

A vase filled with oil

Tax exemption and honours in their hometown

Tax exemption and honours in their hometown

All of the above

All of the above

#5. Which other Panhellenic Games Existed in Greece?

enter answer here

#6. The Olympic Games were abolished under the rule of which Roman Emperor?

Justinian

Justinian

Theodosius II

Theodosius II

Theodosius I

Theodosius I

Finish

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🏛️Dr. Elke Close
📚 Ancient Historian and teacher
📍Belgium
🏺Ancient Greece & Rome and the Hellenistic period
🎨 @drawingancienthistory @bricksanlegends

This marble relief, dedicated by Claudia Ageta to

This marble relief, dedicated by Claudia Ageta to the goddess Demeter, dates to around 170 AD and was found near Sparta in Greece. Claudia Ageta, a priestess of Demeter and granddaughter of a Roman senator from Sparta, commissioned the relief for Demeter’s sanctuary, likely as a religious offering or a personal dedication.

The relief features female toiletry items, including mirrors, a comb, a hairnet, cosmetic boxes, a spoon, and a shell for ointments—objects associated with feminine beauty and care. Two pairs of sandals are also prominently displayed. These items may symbolize domestic life, ritual purity, or status, emphasizing Claudia’s role both as a woman of prominence and a religious figure.

Symbolic representations of wheat and barley appear at the top and bottom of the relief—clear references to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility. This imagery highlights the sacred bond between the priestess and the goddess she served, underscoring Demeter’s role in ensuring agricultural prosperity and human survival.

The Greek inscription carved into the stone records Claudia Ageta’s name and title. Today, the relief is housed in the British Museum.

#ancientgreece #greekhistory #demeter #ancientreligion #greekgods #priestess #ancientart #hellenistichistory #archaeology #ancientsparta #greekculture #ancientwomen #classicalart #britishmuseum #historicalartifacts #ancienthistory #greekinscriptions #greeksculpture #marblerelief #historicaltreasures #ancientdedications #ancientpriestess

Dating to around 1400 BC, the Hagia Triada Sarcoph

Dating to around 1400 BC, the Hagia Triada Sarcophagus is one of the most remarkable examples of Minoan funerary art. Discovered near Phaistos on Crete, this painted limestone sarcophagus offers a rare glimpse into Minoan religious rituals and beliefs about the afterlife, blending Minoan and Mycenaean artistic styles in stunning detail.

The processional scenes painted on its sides depict offerings of animals, vessels, and libations being presented at a sacred altar. One side shows a funerary procession, complete with musicians playing double-pipes, bringing livestock and ritual objects. The opposite side shows a bull sacrifice, accompanied by women pouring libations into large containers, with mythical griffins standing watch—a powerful symbol of divine protection.

Sacred symbols like the double axe (labrys) and sacred trees also appear on the sarcophagus, emphasizing ritual, renewal, and the afterlife—key elements of Minoan religion. The entire work reflects the central role of ceremony and sacrifice in Minoan culture, offering an unparalleled look into the spiritual life of this mysterious civilization.

#minoanart #hagiatriada #ancientcrete #minoanreligion #heraklionmuseum #ancientart #archaeology #bronzeage #ancienthistory #ancientrituals #ancientcivilizations #archaeologicalfinds #funeraryart #minoancrete #ancientmediterranean #artthroughhistory #archaeologicaltreasures #historyfacts #ancientworld #historicalart

The Venus de Milo, created around 150-125 BC, rema

The Venus de Milo, created around 150-125 BC, remains one of the most famous sculptures from the ancient world. Discovered on the Greek island of Milos in 1820, she has captured imaginations ever since.

The statue is believed to represent Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of love and beauty. Her gracefully twisting body, partially draped in flowing fabric, reflects the elegance of Hellenistic art, known for its naturalistic yet idealized representations.

Her missing arms have sparked endless theories—was she holding an apple, referencing the Judgment of Paris, or perhaps a mirror or garment? No one knows, and that only adds to her mystery. Carved from Parian marble, the statue is often attributed to Alexandros of Antioch, though her fame has long outshined her sculptor’s.

#venusdemilo #ancientgreece #greekart #aphrodite #hellenisticart #classicalsculpture #ancienthistory #archaeology #greeksculpture #parianmarble #louvremuseum #classicalart #ancientmasterpieces #artthroughhistory #timelessbeauty #greekmythology #ancientartifacts #artlegends #historicalart #articon

This golden ring depicting Aphrodite weighing two

This golden ring depicting Aphrodite weighing two Erotes was crafted around 350 BC, reflecting the high level of artistic skill in ancient Greek jewelry-making. Rings like this were not only luxurious items but also served as personal seals, with engraved designs meant to leave impressions in wax or clay. Subjects ranged from gods and mythological scenes to animals, birds, and even everyday life—turning each ring into a miniature work of art.

In this scene, Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, delicately holds a scale containing two winged Erotes (Cupids). This image, found on several other rings and Athenian and South Italian vases, likely symbolizes the balance of love’s opposing forces—perhaps representing the success or failure in matters of the heart. It may also be a playful interpretation of a well-known episode from Homer’s Iliad, where Zeus weighs the souls of warriors to determine the fate of a battle. Here, the scales of love replace those of destiny, adding a layer of humor and poetic symbolism.

Gold rings like this were worn by the elite and symbolized status, wealth, and personal identity. The craftsmanship highlights how deeply mythology and daily life were intertwined in Greek art. Swipe right to see the intricate details of this beautiful ring.

#history #ancienthistory #ancientgreece #hellenistic #greekjewelry #ancientjewelry #goldenring #aphrodite #greekmythology #archaeology #ancientart #ancientcraftsmanship #hellenistichistory #classicalgreece #archaeologicalfinds #historicaltreasures

Zeus wasn’t just the King of the Gods—he was a

Zeus wasn’t just the King of the Gods—he was also known for his many “adventures”, often involving shapeshifting and elaborate disguises. As ruler of Mount Olympus, he wielded unparalleled power, but his interests went far beyond thunderbolts and divine justice. His ability to transform allowed him to ‘pursue’ mortals, nymphs, and goddesses alike, while constantly trying to evade the wrath of his ever-watchful wife, Hera.

Many of Zeus’ mythological pursuits featured creative transformations designed to bypass suspicion—or simply demonstrate his divine abilities. In one of his most famous myths, he turned into a bull to abduct Europa, carrying her across the sea to Crete, where she would become the mother of King Minos. In another tale, he transformed into a swan to approach Leda, who would later give birth to Helen of Troy, whose beauty would ultimately cause the Trojan War.

One of the more unusual stories tells how Zeus appeared as a golden shower to reach Danaë, a princess locked away in a bronze tower by her father. The result of this strange encounter was the birth of Perseus, the hero destined to slay Medusa. In another myth, Zeus disguised himself as Amphitryon, Alkmene’s husband, to father Heracles, ensuring the hero’s place in both mortal and divine history.

#ancientgreece #greekmythology #zeus #mountolympus #kingofthegods #classicalmythology #ancienthistory #greekgods #olympians #ancientlegends #classicalhistory #greekmyths #ancientstories #greeklegends #mythologicalfigures #godofthunder #classicalcivilization #ancientworld #greekculture #ancientmyths

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