Roman Olympic Games

The Olympic Games continued to be held at Olympia in the Roman Province of Achaea in Greece, during the Roman Empire (27 BCE-476 CE) until 393 CE.
They were held once in Rome during 80 BCE, by the Roman Dictator Sulla (138-78 BCE). They were finally abolished in 393 CE by Theodosius I.

Olympia is an Archeological Site in the Peloponnese in southern Greece, which is located 6 miles (10 km) east of Pyrgos.
It was the location of Elis, the Sacred Grove, where the Olympic Games were held in the Stadium which had a capacity of 45,000 spectators.
The Site holds the Remains of some of the 70 buildings that once stood there. The Ruins of some can still be seen:
- Temple of Zeus
- Palaestra of Olympia
- Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame is still lit on the Altar.
- Mitroon, a Temple dedicated to Rea-Cybele
- Nymfaion Aqueduct
- The Stadium, with a capacity of 45,000 spectators
- Baths
- Gymnasium

Archeological Museum of Olympia
- Located in the Archeological Site of Olympia.
- The museum holds the Finds from the excavation of the Sanctuary of Zeus, such as the Nike of Paionios (c.425 BCE) and the Hermes of Praxiteles (4th century BCE). There are also Collections of Terracottas, Sculptures and Bronzes.

Dates held:
- Every 4 years without interruption from 776 BCE to 393 CE, between August 6th and September 19th.
- The Greek Victors sent a message announcing their Win back to their Home Cities and islands by Pigeon
Location:
- Mount Olympia, Elis, Greece. Roman Province of Achaea.
- Today it is the Archeological Site of Ancient Elis in Greece.
- Elis was a sacred Grove dedicated to the Greek God Zeus (Jupiter) where stood the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Participants:
- When Rome turned Greece into a Roman Province in 146 BCE, the Romans were invited to participate in the Games, as they were considered to be the descendants of the Greeks.
- When Roman Citizenship was extended to the Provinces in the second century CE, competitors from all over the Roman Empire were able to attend the Games.
The Prizes:
- Instead of Gold, Silver and Bronze, the winners were given a Laurel Wreath cut from the sacred laurel tree next to the Temple of Zeus.

80 BCE the Roman General Sulla moved the Games to Rome, but in 76 BCE, after his death, they returned to Greece.

During the turmoil of the Civil Wars, the prestige of the Games declined until the arrival of Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) and the Pax Romana.
Augustus authorised Agrippa to rebuild and renovate the buildings and Temples, and made the Olympics a highly prestigious and fashionable Event.

Tiberius participated in the Roman Olympic Games of 4 BCE, and won the Chariot Race.

The Roman Emperor Nero himself, participated in the Games in 67 CE.
He competed in a ten horse chariot but was thrown, and failed to finish during another, yet still returned to Rome to display the winning Crowns of all six chariot races.
After his death in 69 CE, this particular Olympiad was proclaimed an Unolympiad, and struck from the record.

In 393 CE the Emperor Theodosius I abolished the Olympic Games after the last Event was held in 393 CE, as being too Pagan.
Earlier, in 392 CE, Theodosius I had already closed the Sanctuaries of the Eleusinian Mysteries, also for being too Pagan and contradicting Christianity.

The Olympic Games were also a Religious Festival held in honour of Zeus (Jupiter).
The Temple of Zeus was built at Olympia during the 5th century BCE.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Four Categories of Games:
1. Stadion: Sprinting
2. Boxing
3. Pancration: a blend of both Boxing and Wrestling
4. Horse Racing and Chariot Racing

67 CE Nero changed the date the Games were held, by delaying the Event by two years.
71 CE
75 CE
79 CE
83 CE
87 CE
91 CE
85 CE
99 CE
103 CE
107 CE
111 CE
115 CE
119 CE
123 CE
127 CE
131 CE Hadrian
135 CE
139 CE until 393 CE.

393 CE was the last year the Olympic Games were held before abolition by Theodosius I.

Archeological Site of Olympia, Greece