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Friday5

The Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. in ancient Olympia.  There are two mythological versions as to how they started.  The first is the myth of Pelopas from whom the Peloponnese has taken its taken (the isle of Pelops.)  According to the myth, King Inomaos of Pissas, invited the suitors of his daughter Hypodamea to a chariot race.  Whoever won would take Hypodamea as his wife and whoever lost... would lose his head!  Pelopas, prince of Lydia of Asia Minor was one of the suitors.  With the help of Myrtilos the charioteer, he formed a plan to beat Inomaos in the chariot race by sabotaging his chrariot.  As a result, Pelopas prevailed in the race when Inomao's chariot overturned; killing him.  Pelopas married Hypodamea and to celebrate his victory founded the Olympic Games.        
        
According to another myth, the Games were founded by the demigod Hercules.  In his fifth Labor, he agreed with king Avgeas of Ilia, to clean his stables, and in exchange would receive one - tenth of his cows.  Avgeas did not keep his promise and Hercules declared war, which he won.  After the victory, and in honour of his father Dias (Zeus) Hercules founded the Olympic Games.

Tags: Olympics , ancient , history , culture