The Ancient Greek Olympic Games
I can compare the Ancient Greek Olympic Games with those that are held in the modern period.
The Ancient Greek Olympic Games
I can compare the Ancient Greek Olympic Games with those that are held in the modern period.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia in 776 BCE in honour of the gods and as part of a wider religious festival.
- Ancient Greeks believed that they would offend the Gods if they were to cheat in the Games.
- Images on Ancient Greek pottery show us the sports that comprised the ancient Games and that only men could compete.
- The ancient Olympic Games have left a lasting legacy in the form of the modern Olympic Games.
- There are similarities and differences between the ancient and modern Olympic Games.
Keywords
Olympia - Olympia was a plain in southwestern Ancient Greece
Olympic Games - the Olympic Games is an athletic and sporting competition held every four years
Festival - a festival is a repeated ceremony or celebration involving special activities
Legacy - a legacy is the long-lasting impact of historical events, actions, a person or group of people
Common misconception
That Olympia and Mount Olympus are either the same thing or in the same place.
There are approximately 200 miles between the locations of Olympia and Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, whereas Olympia was a large flat plain. Mount Olympus was the mythical home of the 12 major gods, Olympia was not.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of nudity
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
queen of the gods
goddess of the harvest
queen of Sparta
goddess of wisdom
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a large, flat plain in Ancient Greece - the home of the Olympic Games
the highest point in Ancient Greece - the mythical home of the Gods
a city state in Ancient Greece - the place where laws were debated