Gifts of the Greeks :: essays research papers

The Gift from the Greeks The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia, in the Peloponnes. The most famous are the games that were held in Olympia in honor of Zeus every four years from August sixth to September 19th. Olympics have been a symbol of the camaraderie and harmony affirmable on a global scale. The gathering of athletic representatives from participating governments, tear down throughout the recent Cold War period, is proof that world unanimity is possible. It was a gift from the Ancient Greece The Pentathlon consisted of five events the recollective jump, javelin throw, dish aerial throw, blame race, and wrestling. The Pentathlons, especially the successful ones, were often treated and even worshipped alike gods. Because of their exquisite physiques, they were employ as the models for statues of the Greek Gods. The superior athletic energy of these athletes affects the games even today. The twisting and throwing method of the discus throw, which originated in Anc ient Greece, is as yet used today. The original events were even more than challenging than those of today. The modern discus weighs in at just 5 pounds, one-third of the original weight, and the long jumps were done with the contestant carrying a five pound weight in each hand. The pit to be traversed in this jump allowed for a 50 foot jump, compared to just over 29 feet in our modern Olympics. Apparently, the carried weights, used correctly, could create momentum to carry the athlete further. Legend has it that one particular(a) cleared the entire pit by approximately 5 feet, breaking both legs as he landed. These legends, for all their blood, sweat, and tears, were awarded an olive branch from the point behind the alter of Zeus when they won. Fortunately, the regions they represented were usually somewhat more grateful for bringing honor home. It was not uncommon for the victors to receive separated food for life, money, or other valuable offers. They were often worshipped as gods and sometimes their sweat was preserved and sold as a sorcerous potion. In the later years of the games, an additional event was added which signaled the end of the games and the stop to the war ridden life of ancient history. Soldiers, adorned with a full luggage compartment of armor weighing upwards of 50 pounds, would compete in a foot race. Unfortunately, even the apparent athletic ability of these soldiers could not clog the fall of Greece to Rome in the middle of the second century BC.