Question

What do the original Olympic “games” reveal about ancient Greek culture and values? (Provide as many specific examples as possible, but a minimum of three.) What, in your view, is admirable abut the games and what is not?

Answer 1

1. The Olympic games were originally invented by the ancient Greeks. They got their name after the highest Greek mountain, which also represented the border with the ''barbarians'' on the north of them, namely the Macedonians, Illirians, Thracians, and Paionians. These games provide a nice clue about the values and culture of the Greeks in this period of time. One thing is the competitiveness that the Greeks had. Also, the striding toward perfect and strong body through exercise and healthy diet is another thing. The pride in representing the city-state and bringing glory to it was another important thing.

2. The thing that is admirable about the Olympic games is that it was an excellent way of competition without having any conflict, but being a peaceful, sporting event, in which people from the different city-states were trying to bring pride to themselves and their city-states. It was also very good because it was motivating the people to be like the competitors, to have healthy diets and regular exercises. The thing that is not admirable about the games is that people form other ethnic groups were not allowed to participate. It was only on few occasions that a single Macedonia was going to be allowed to participate, and when it happened that the Macedonian won, it was seen as big humiliation for the Greeks, so he was not given the honors and price as all other winners. SO we can say that it was a discriminatory competition.