Roosevelt High School - Bwana Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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WRESTLERS Uffizi, Florence fourlvfu of Puhlu' lrhrurzy Nine

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Couric-sy of Public Library THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES HE Olympic Games were the most famous of the four great national festivals of the Greeks. They were celebrated in the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia every four years, the time varying from the begin- ning of August to the middle of September. The origin of the games was lost in antiquity, and legend attributed the foundation of the games to Hercules, Pelops, and other mythical characters. They were said to have fallen into neglect until King Iphitus of Elis and King Lycurgus of Sparta established the Truce of God at the celebration of the games and restored them to honor. During the greater part of their existence the games were in charge of the Eleans, though the city of Pisa, in whose ancient territory Olympia was situated, frequently disputed this right of the Eleans, until Pisa was destroyed by Elis and Sparta. Early in the year of the games, envoys from Elis were sent throughout the Creek world to invite the states to join in honor to Olympian Zeus. To them the states sent sacred embassies to bring their offer- ings and vie with one another in the splendor of their equipment and enter- tainment. The Olympic games consisted of short and long distance running, Wres- tling, boxing, discus throwing, chariot racing, horse racing, and various other feats testing nerves and endurance. The chief officials varied from two to twelve, though the usual number seems to have been ten. The judges' decision was not Hnal, but might be revised by the senate. Under the judges was a set of police who kept order during the celebration of the games. None but Greeks of pure descent were allowed to take part in the games, until the con- quest of Greece by the Romans, when they also were admitted to the contests. At first the contests occupied but a single day, but in later times, five or six days were needed to complete the sports. The first day was devoted to sacrifices, especially to Zeus, while the officials and contestants took a solemn oath, the former to judge fairly. the latter that they had observed the pre- Eight '

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38.721346 scribed training and would compete with fairness. The games took place up to the last day, when, in front of the temple, the victors received the crowns of wild olive, the only prizes. Afterwards they were banqueted by the State of Elis. The crown of wild olive was so highly esteemed that a victor in the Olympic games was regarded as bringing glory, not only to himself, but to his family and even the city or state to which he belonged. On returning to his native city he was honored with a triumphal procession and heard his praises celebrated in lyric verse. ln addition to this, special privileges were conferred on him for life. A place of honor was allowed him in all public assemblies, and even statues were erected to him. At Athens they were maintained for the rest of their life at public cost. The ancient Olympic games died out during the fourth century A. D., and were not revived until IS96, when the first of a new series, the Modern Olympic Games, was played in Athens. HERMAN BRAECKEL. I so l OLYMPIC FORMER STARS MCKINLEY STUDENTS FRANKLIN JOHNSON-DAN KINSEY Tm