. The eastern nations and Greece. created, if not apolitical, at least areligious, union thatembraced the entireHellenic world.^ 159. The Olympic Games. Another of the most characteristicof the religious institutions of the Greeks which they inherited fromprehistoric times was the sacred games celebrated at Olympia in Elis,in honor of the Olympian Zeus. The origin of this festival is lost inthe obscurity of tradition; but by the opening of the eighth it had assumed national importance. In 776 a contestantnamed Coroebus was victor in the foot race at Olympia, and as fromthat ti
. The eastern nations and Greece. created, if not apolitical, at least areligious, union thatembraced the entireHellenic world.^ 159. The Olympic Games. Another of the most characteristicof the religious institutions of the Greeks which they inherited fromprehistoric times was the sacred games celebrated at Olympia in Elis,in honor of the Olympian Zeus. The origin of this festival is lost inthe obscurity of tradition; but by the opening of the eighth it had assumed national importance. In 776 a contestantnamed Coroebus was victor in the foot race at Olympia, and as fromthat time the names of the victors were carefully registered, that 1 The managers of the oracle, doubtless through the visitors to the shrine, kept them-selves informed respecting the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and thus wereable to give good advice to those contemplating the founding of a new settlement. 2 For an illustration of the influence of the oracle upon Greek morality, read thestory of Glaucus (Herodotus, vi, 86).. Fig. 92. Greek Runners 148 HERITAGE OF THE HISTORIC GREEKS [§ 160 year came to be used by the Greeks as the starting point in theirchronology. The games were held every fourth year, and the intervalbetween two successive festivals was known as an Olympiad.^ To the foot-race, which at first was the only contest, were graduallyadded boxing, wrestling, spear-throwing, and other athletic , chariot-racing was introduced, and became the most popularof all the contests. The competitors must be of Hellenic race; musthave undergone special training in the gymnasium; and must, more-over, be unblemished by any crime against the state or sin against thegods. Spectators from all parts of the world crowded to the festival.
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