THE ANCIENT OLYMPICS.
In this Unit we are going to connect what you have studied in Social Science with one of the most significants topics of our subject: The Olympic Games and particularly we will focus on the Ancient Games so you can supplement what you have learned and take advantage of it. As a start take a look at this introductory and very basic videos so you can recall all your previous knowledge.
In the 8th century BCE different sports competitions were held in the Greek cities (polis) to honour the Gods. The name of the these games was taken from the city were they took place. From 776 BCE onwards, the most important ones were held every four years in Olympia (Olympic Games) in honour of Zeus. They were such relevant event that during four years the participant polis stopped their internal warfare.
During the Roman Empire the Games fell into decadence. Professional sports-people and slaves competed in which became very violent and cruel events. Emperor Theodosius abolished them in 393 CE.
During 19th century, an ancient Greece enthusiast born in France, Pierre de Fredy, Baron de Coubertain, raised the possibility of reviving the spirit of peace, partnership, and harmony between nations that was boost during the Old Olympic Games. Taken away the religious meaning, sport became the engine to move these values.
In the 8th century BCE different sports competitions were held in the Greek cities (polis) to honour the Gods. The name of the these games was taken from the city were they took place. From 776 BCE onwards, the most important ones were held every four years in Olympia (Olympic Games) in honour of Zeus. They were such relevant event that during four years the participant polis stopped their internal warfare.
During the Roman Empire the Games fell into decadence. Professional sports-people and slaves competed in which became very violent and cruel events. Emperor Theodosius abolished them in 393 CE.
During 19th century, an ancient Greece enthusiast born in France, Pierre de Fredy, Baron de Coubertain, raised the possibility of reviving the spirit of peace, partnership, and harmony between nations that was boost during the Old Olympic Games. Taken away the religious meaning, sport became the engine to move these values.
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Created using the bibliography from the links below the videos.
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Here you have some interesting links that may be useful as resources in order to accomplish the final project for this unit:
- HISTORY, MYTHS AND THE SPORTS EVENT (Olympic Movement).
- SOME CURIOUS FACTS (BBC for Schools).
- THE OLYMPIC EVENTS DAY BY DAY (The British Museum).
- CONTEXT, SPIRIT AND ATHLETES STORIES (Perseus Digital Library).
- ANCIENT GREECE FOR KIDS (Lin Donn and Phillip Martin).
- ANCIENT OLYMPICS (Olympics.org)
- THE ANCIENT OLYMPICS: BRIDGING PAST AND PRESENT (Open Learn University).
THIS IS HOW THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES LOOKED LIKE....
Interesting documentary based on the daily life of athletes taking part in the Ancient Olympic Games. Athletes and trainers are professionals and recreate the real conditions in which greeks participated in their traditional contests.
"CAMPEONES DE OLIMPIA" (TVE-ARTE). In Spanish.
Chapter 1 (Full version) |
Summary from all chapters (8, 9 and 10).
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Also available on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/84850061