The History of the Olympic Games

1500- in Athens: Approximate date of the celebration of the first Panathenean Games. This festival was held every year, and consisted of a procession, religious sacrifices and a night feast, as well as competitions: dance of armed warriors, torch race and male beauty contest. Only Athenian citizens could compete. A more complete festival was held every four years: the Great Panathenean, in which, in addition to the aforementioned activities, other athletic, equestrian and artistic competitions were held in which Greeks from other cities could participate.

1479-According to legend, this would be the year of the first Heracles Games in Greece (In honor of Hercules).

1324-The Games of Eleusis begin to be celebrated, of which no further details are known, and which apparently were cancelled around 1310.

1259-The Isthmian Games, in honor of Poseidon, begin to be held in Corinth. This festival quickly gained popularity among the Greeks, was held every two years in spring, and lasted several days. The festival included athletic (race, boxing, pankration, pentathlon) and equestrian contests. In addition, musical and poetic competitions and a painting contest were added in the 4th century BC. Surprisingly, victories by women in both athletic and poetic and musical competitions are recorded, but it is not known whether female participation was regular or sporadic.

1251- The Nemean Games begin to be celebrated every two years in the city of Cleonas...