Five Things You Didn鈥檛 Know About the Ancient Olympics
Posted: June 15, 2026 | Author: Abigail Wyatt | Read Time: 2 minutes
Millions of people are enthralled with the drive, talent, and athleticism of the thousands of athletes competing in the Olympic Games.
Dr. Dave Lunt, an assistant history professor at Southern Utah University, who has spent more than 16 years studying Greek history, offered five insights on what you don’t know about the ancient Olympics.
Athletes competed naked
Athletes competed naked as a tribute to the Greek God Zeus. They wanted to show Zeus their physical power and muscular physique. Showing off their bodies also helped intimidate other competitors.
Since Greek heroes were often depicted nude in artwork and sculptures, this inspired athletes to train harder and win their events. Athletes wanted to be compared to true heroes like Hercules and Achilles.
The beginning and end of the ancient Olympics
The Olympics have come a long way since its early beginnings. The games began with a footrace in 776 B.C. as part of a religious festival honoring the Greek God Zeus. According to ancient legend, a cook named Coroebus won the 192-meter footrace, the only event at the time. The ancient games lasted for nearly 12 centuries before Roman Emperor Theodosius saw the games as a pagan cult and banned them in 393 A.D.
The first modern games wouldn’t resurface again until 1896, thanks to the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France.
Winners received cash
Unlike modern Olympics, where the athletes only walk away with a medal and recognition, the ancient winners received a cash prize. Upon winning, they would receive a crown made of olive leaves. After arriving home, they would be given the equivalent of about $100,000 U.S. dollars.
There was also no first, second, or third place. There was only one winner in each event, and they gained all the fame and honor for themselves and their hometown, which was a huge motivation to participate.
Greeks thought winning could lead to immortality
In Greek legends death was a terrible experience. They believed when you died you spent the rest of eternity in endless torment. This is why Hercules was so revered. He was a mortal man who won immortality because of his athletic accomplishments.
Lunt believes that many people competed in the Olympics hoping they’d be able to achieve some portion of immortality. By consistently winning, athletes would have statues sculpted and songs written about their achievements, which meant their legacy would live on through the ages.