Ancient Olympic Fun Fact 21

2012 is significant in that it is a presidential election year, a leap year, and a summer Olympic year! The modern Olympics, of course, were inspired by the ancient Greek Olympics, a subject I’ve been researching for my work in progress. So in these months leading up to the 2012 London Games, I’ll be posting weekly tidbits about the original athletic festival that started it all.

This week’s installment is a list of ancient Olympic events (in order of appearance). It should be noted that, like the modern Games, some sports only lasted a few Olympiads before being dropped from the festival.

Stade-race (approximately 600 feet)
Diaulos footrace (two double laps on a 600-foot track)
Dolichos footrace (ten or twelve double laps on a 600-foot track)
Pentathlon (discus, long jump, javelin, running, wrestling)
Wrestling
Boxing
Four-horse chariot race
Pankration
Horserace
Footrace for boys
Wrestling for boys
Pentathlon for boys
Boxing for boys
Race in armor
Mule cart race
Race for mares
Two-horse chariot race
Trumpeter competition
Herald competition
Four-colt chariot race
Two-colt chariot race
Colt race
Pankration for boys

Tune in next week for more about the ancient Olympics!