The Sacred Truce: The Ancient Greek Culture

Men, at the peak of their physical capabilities, competed in sporting events for greater glory and fame. This was known as the Ancient Greek Olympics, a competition where the winners were admired and losers were disgraced (Miller. 235). The Ancient Olympics were a huge part in Mediterranean Europe. Every Greek city or territory submitted a competitor for each event, being spectated by thousands of men and children (History.com Staff). The Olympics were a main part in Greek culture, greatly influencing the modern world today as well.

The Olympic Games started one month before the actual competition for training. Each athlete had to declare when they arrived that they had been training for at least ten months. They would then train with other athletes until the games started (Cartwright). The opening ceremony consisted of the recitation of the Odyssey and the Iliad and the announcement of the Sacred Truce. The Sacred Truce was a treaty signed between Greek city-states allowing safe travel to Olympia

The first day was devoted to both religious sacrifices, where the sacrificed 100 oxen, and a trumpet competition. The second day consisted of various foot races, the rules were practically the same as modern-day racing, with the first to finish the required number of laps being the winner. The first race was called the stadion, the second and third were 2-4 stade races, and the fourth race had the runner’s run in full body armor (Ancient Greece - Olympic Games.). This was known as the Hoplite race, or the Hoplitodromos which was the last race to be added into the Olympics, being added in the 65th Olympic Games, in 520 B.C. Unlike the other races they ran in the nude wearing only a helmet, shield, and greaves his would be continued until the end of the Olympics games. (Greek Hoplitodromos (Race) - Health and Fitness