OLYMPIA (sanctuary in Elis)
Town on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece, site of the ancient Olympic Games
- Kind of place
- Sanctuary
- Region
- Elis
- Patron
- Zeus
- Landmarks
- Fountain Arethusa Strabo 6.2.4 part 2; Tomb for Aetolus Pausanias 5.4.4; Stone basement by the side of the statue of Troilus Pausanias 6.1.6; Statue of Zeus Strabo 8.6.20; Gilt Victory Pausanias 5.10.4
- People of myth here
- Epeius
- Where
- 37.64° N, 21.63° E
The Olympic games held at this location were considered sacred and superior to all others. Strabo 8.3.30 part 1 Olympia is described as the mother of contests that are crowned with gold. Pindar, Olympian 8 ¶1 Victors in the games were crowned at this site. Strabo 8.3.30 part 1
Described in the sources
The river Alpheius flows past the town of Olympia. Bacchylides 3 +4 The Olympic games were held at this location, featuring events such as chariot races, stadion running, boxing for boys, and contests for beardless youths. Athenaeus 10.6 +4 Olympia is located in the region of Pisatis, whose fame was boosted by the temple at the site. Strabo 8.3.3 +3 The Olympic games were held at the sanctuary in Olympia. Athenaeus 14.12 +2 Olympia is situated on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. Bacchylides 7 +2 The site is associated with the region of Pisa, the plains of which are where the victor brings his customary escort. Athenaeus 10.6 +2 Olympia is situated within the territory of Elis, between the Pisatis region and the city of Elis, approximately 300 stadia away. Pausanias 8.1.2 +2 A flat road, known as the Sacred Road, connects Olympia to Elis. Pausanias 5.16.8 +1 The Taraxippus at this location is described as more frightening to horses than those elsewhere. Pausanias 10.37.4 +1 Promachus defeated Pulydamas in a competition at Olympia, and a statue of him was dedicated there. Pausanias 7.27.5 +1
Gods and worship
Greeks crown victors with wild olive branches, and the wild olive tree is preserved with great veneration. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 15.5 ¶1 +1 Zeus is addressed as the sovereign lord of this place. Pindar, Olympian 13 ¶3 Sacrifices to Olympic Zeus occur at an altar inside the temple here. Pausanias 5.14.4 The site originally gained fame through the oracle of Olympian Jove. Strabo 8.3.30 part 1 The men of the Golden Race built a temple in Olympia to honor Cronus. Pausanias 5.7.6 The temple at the town was held in high reverence by the local people. Strabo 8.3.30 part 2
Stories and history
Heracles fixed the rules governing the events held at this location. Diodorus 4.53 +1 The Eleans drove the Lacedaemonians out of the sacred enclosure at Olympia. Pausanias 5.20.4 +1 Coroebus was the first person to win a prize at this site in the foot-race, which was the first event held there when the tradition began. Pausanias 5.8.6 +1 Ergoteles won a crown at Olympia. Pindar, Olympian 12 ¶6 Hieron's horses raced here and won victory. Bacchylides 3 Lachon won a foot race victory at this site. Bacchylides 6 Ladas won a long race victory at this location. Pausanias 3.21.1 A statue dedicated by the Greeks stands in the town. Pausanias 5.23.3 One offering in the temple represents an oak leaf crown. Pausanias 5.12.8 The athlete Promachus won a prize in the pancratium here. Pausanias 7.27.5
Myths set at Olympia
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- The Wrestling Match for the Throne. Zeus challenges Cronus to a wrestling match for the throne at Olympia. Zeus wins the match and holds games to honor his victory. Pausanias 5.7.10 +2 Cronus
In the age of heroes
- The Founding of the Olympic Games. Heracles establishes the Olympic Games at Olympia to honor Zeus, using spoils from war and a wild olive tree. He sets the rules, crowns the first victors, and institutes the five-year cycle. Diodorus 4.53 +5 Heracles
- The Establishment of the Olympic Games. Oxylus, a king of Elis, established the Olympic games and oversaw the construction of the Temple of Hera. His descendants later maintained the festival's presidency and sacred status. Pausanias 5.16.1 +4 Oxylus
- The Footrace for the Throne of Elis. Endymion organizes a footrace at Olympia to determine which of his sons will inherit the throne. Epeius wins the race, becomes king, and his subjects are named after him. Pausanias 5.1.4 +3 Endymion
- The Revival of the Olympic Games. hook: "Iphitus revived the Olympic games at Olympia after a long period of inactivity, renewing them when people had forgotten the old traditions." goal: "The revival of the games led to the gradual addition of new events." outcome: "The inscription on Iphitus's quoit records the truce proclaimed by the Eleans."} Pausanias 5.20.1 +3
- The Founding of the Olympic Games. hook: "Iphitus, son of Eurytus, establishes the Olympic games at Olympia.", "goal: "He founds the games because the Eleians are considered a sacred people.", "outcome: "A statue of Iphitus stands before a pillar inside bronze temple doors, receiving a crown from Ececheiria."} Pausanias 5.10.10 +2 Iphitos
- The Sacrifice at Olympia. Heracles is troubled by flies while performing a sacrifice at Olympia. He offers a specific ritual to Zeus to drive the insects away across the Alpheius river. Pausanias 5.14.1 +1 Heracles