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Some extra info. The acient Olympics were rather different from the modern games. There were fewer events, and only free men who spoke greek could compete instead of athletes from any country. Also, the games were always held at Olympia instead of moving around to different sites every time. There were no awards for any event if you were alive then that was your award. They did not have any armor just the clothes on their back. If the game called for weapons they would use swords or clubs. If the solider was fighting a prisoner the solider would have the wepon and the only weapon the prisoner had was his fists evevually he would lose. • The rules Like the modern Olympics, strict rules and regulations governed the ancient Olympics. The Eleans were accomplished promoters and sought to make the Olympic games a positive experience for all participants, athletes, and spectators. Consequently, the //ekecheiria//, or truce, was the most important rule. Originally initiated by three kings, Iphitos of Elis, Kleosthenes of Pisa, and Lykourgos of Sparta, for the period of one month, the Eleans extended the //ekecheiria// to three months. During the truce, participants from warring city-states could presumably pass through the territory of their enemy without jeopardy. To add to the positive atmosphere, no armies could enter Elis, and the death penalty was suspended.

The winners Demigod may be a good word to describe an Olympic victor. Each city greeted its victor(s) with celebrations that included assembled crowds and special gestures of honor. An athlete’s victory in the games meant a god favored him and, like the heroes and warriors who came before him, he was immortalized for his accomplishments. Upon returning home, victors could receive monetary rewards of varying sizes, among other awards. These might include exemption from taxation, inscription of their names in public places, the privilege to fight along side the king, and free meals at the Prytaneion for the rest of their lives. Different cities and time periods proffered different rewards and forms of recognition.