Images

The Gymnasion was built in the second century BCE and was used as a training ground for the javelin, discus and running athletes.

The Archaic temple of Hera in Olympia (7th century BCE).

Marble statue of Nike, Olympia. Dedicated to Zeus by the Messenians and Naupaktians after their victory over Sparta in 424 BCE. Sculpted by Paionios of Mende. (Olympia Archeaological Museum, Greece).

A boxing scene from an attic red-figure kylix (c. 500 BCE). Olympia Archaeological Museum.

A depiction of a chariot with charioteer on an attic black-figure kylix (510-500 BCE). Olympia Archaeological Museum.

Attic black-figure column crater depicting a foot race (510-500 BCE). Olympia Archaeological Museum.

A bronze statue of a pankratiast (2nd century BCE). The leather thongs wrapped around the fist, worn by later exponents of this viiolent mix of wrestling and boixing, can be clearly seen. (Olympia Archaeological Museum, Olympia)

A detail of the assembly of the gods from the east frieze of the Treasury of the Siphians (525 BCE), Delphi. Delphi Archaeological Museum.

The stadium of Delphi, orginally built in the 5th century BCE, the stone seats visible today were added in the second century CE.

The Citadel of Mycenae, occupied from late Neolithic times until the twelfth century BCE. The Mycenaean civilization was at its peak from 1350-1200 BCE and it is from this period that the fortifications acquired the form seen today.