The Olympic Games were organized to the glory of the Gods, to whom they made sacrifices during a ceremony before the competitions. The Games took their name from the immigrants that came from the mount Olympus, in Thessaly, down to western lowlands of the Peloponnese to settle their sanctuary there. For the athletes, the Olympic Games were the most important competition and a victory meant great honor and a high reputation.

The Games took place in different regions of Greece. Among others, there were games held in the isthmus of Corinth every two years and in Delphi every four years. The most famous were, however, the ones celebrated a southwestern city of the Peloponnese: Olympia. These games were taken as an example for the modern Olympic Games celebrated in Athens in 1896.

The first Games took place in 776 BC and were celebrated in the glory of Zeus. All Greek athletes were allowed to participate in the competitions, but no foreigners and no women. Women were not even allowed to attend the Games as spectators, maybe because many athletes competed naked. The modes of competition by that time were race, long jump, javelin, discus, chariot-race, races in full armor, fight, boxing and pankration (infighting).

As a price, the winner got an olive branches wreath. This was more a symbol, but in their home land, the athletes were acclaimed like heroes. Prestige had also a lot to do with the Games: only those who had good horses could win a horse race, and athletes should find a lot of free time to train for the competitions. Besides, many realms offered expensive statues to the organizing cities to get good reputation and stay in good terms with the Gods.