OLYMPIC AWARDS

History of the City of Olympia and the ancient Olympic Games, such that in fact do not even have the beginning and the very first sporting event Greeks even been described by Homer in the 23rd song of the poem "Iliad. " Currently, it is believed that the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, but historical chronicles say that they were not the first and only recorded for the first time. Historical tradition believes that the Olympics have their roots in the second millennium BC, when one day in the valley where the river empties into the river Klad Alfei later ill spirits gromoverzhets Zeus. He cut the ground and lightning, to admire the work of their own away. To propitiate the god, the people built a shrine here and started to bring him to the victim.

Termination of the Olympic Games has become one of the consequences of the collapse of Mycenaean culture, and the resumption of Greek tradition relates to the IX century BC. At that time, as a result of "doriyskogo resettlement" in Peloponnese were destroyed, many cult centers, the indigenous population forced or mixed with the newcomers, the valley of Alphaeus settled etaliytsy who subjected a great portion of the peninsula. Continuing the war ravaged country, everywhere reigned desolation and devastation, successive epidemics. And then the king elidsky Ifit turned for advice to the Delphic oracle, who replied through pifiyu - sibyl will of the gods:

"To protect our homeland, to refrain from wars, keep the friendship between the Greek brothers during the annual celebrations peaceful year. "

The Greeks interpreted these words as an indication to resume the Olympics, the king invited Ifit Spartan king Likurgu together to follow the advice oracle, it was with Sparta often fought internecine war Elida. They joined the ruler of Pisa Kleosfen: three of the rulers of the three cities have created amfiktioniyu - a cult association of tribes - and signed a contract to host games. The king made Ifit also initiated ekeherii - the holy of the statute, which declares:

Olimpia - a sacred place. Anyone who dares to come here armed, would be labeled an as blasphemer. Atheist is the one who, possessing the power not to take revenge for this crime. "

This text has been broken for a bronze disk that is installed in the temple of the goddess Gery. 1 And since then, every leap year, in the sacred month of harvest and the vintage "in all of Greece continued internecine war and free citizens flock to Olympia. The Olympic Games did not know the pre-selection, any Hellene could have come here to pomeryatsya forces such as fans, like himself. And by the rules there were no social restrictions, even during the rule of the aristocracy: it was mandatory only Hellenic origin, and to participate in games, even people from lower-free population. For example, in 520 BC in the club won the fight easy tiller head of Kariste, while the statue of one winner archaeologists saw the following lines:

First on the shoulders, he wore thick, rough logs,

The fish from Argos bore at tegeatsky Bazaar . . .

But the barbarians to the competitions is not allowed. The selection of the athletes performed a judge, who at one time long debated whether Ellina Macedonians. When the latter was allowed to participate in competitions, many of them became olimpionikami (won), one of them was the Macedonian king Philip II - father of Alexander the Great. When Greece a result of the power of Rome, the Olympics and allowed the Romans. But the criminal law of the city or obscheellinskie setting, the event could not have become ever. Not allowed in the sacred Olympia, and women, the exclusion was made only for the priestesses of goddess Demeter.

In the history of the Olympic Games, only one woman had violated the ban and has appeared in the holy city of Zeus.

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Her name was Ferenika (in another version - Kallipatera) and she was the daughter of a famous club fighter, and it is supervised training of his son. When he went to Olympia, Ferenika changed to suit the teacher of gymnastics, and followed him. Her son was victorious in the fight club, and was glad his mother, forgetting about the caution, threw him on the neck. Ferenike threatened with death for violating the law, but saved the visitors request. The judges had mercy on the woman, but immediately decided: from now on all coaches, athletes followed for the game, must sit naked for a special fence.

The Olympic festival lasted five days, but on the first day of any competition, it was not: he was the preparatory ceremonies and sacrifices. The athletes, together with relatives and friends brought their sacrifices at the altar of the gods, who thought their patrons. At the altar of Zeus, the athletes had a common oath that they will abide by the rules of competition and the rules of a game, to fight fairly and without unlawful practices.

The list of athletes who spoke at the games displayed at the stadium. Before the start of the competition ellanodiki (judge) gave a draw, and the participants were removed from the silver vase bronze tokens, which was engraved a letter (mean number). Under the lot is divided into four athletes for the races, which actually begins the first day of competition, because the sport was considered to be among the most ancient Greeks, and honorable. Legend tells that the length of track found itself Heracles, the son of Zeus. Conceived in honor of his father to install the game, he opted for the flat ground and made it track: he measured the distance of its 600 feet, the hero has decided that this would be sufficient for the races.

Place start and finish at a track noted rock bands, separated by wooden poles at intervals of 1. 2 meters. Between the pillars of stone have been cut two parallel grooves, indicating the place to set foot runner. Low start Greeks did not know, and the runners were, vytyanuv right hand and gently filing forward. If someone break before time, the judge punished him with a stick and returned to their original location. The winner in the race at the Olympic Games 776 years BC, was the cook Koraib (according to other sources - Assistant baker). In Olympia there was a statue of him, but the ancient authors did not doubt his historical existence: Koraiba name written on a marble board, has opened to us a list of known olimpionikov.

In the competition for the run time is not taken into account, not preserved, and no historical evidence of the speed of the runners, so some of the stories are seen as a poetic exaggeration. For example, if an athlete saw at the start and at the finish, but at the track do not have time to notice it. Ancient Greek writer and traveler Pavsany talking about Spartans Ladase, who was not even his rivals, because he ran the distance with a fixed speed, which does not leave traces on the sand track. In honor of his famous sculptor Myron erected a statue to its beauty inspired many poets:

As if hovering in the air with their feet, he aspires to a goal . . .

Strong surge chest, full of faith in the victory.

That′s what it is you set, Ladas, the Miron,

Light as air, flying with a raised up his head . . .

Nice olimpionik Agey sbegal home in Argos (100 km) to talk about his victory, and at night returned to Olympia to participate in the competitions the next day.

Competitions jump length is always accompanied by music. Carefully leveled in the soft ground better in the 15 meters in length, which jumped athletes, called skammoy. On the ground tracks foot print clearly, and if it shows that one foot ahead of another athlete turn, the jump is not counted. Ancient Greek long jump - this is practically leap from their seats, without a run, the more striking result is known to us boys Hion (VII century.

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BC E). - 6,52 meters. But the mystery remains true leap Failla: ancient authors tell that he even jumped all skammu and landed outside, with a fantastic record - 16, 31 meters.

On the second day took place in the fight, and fight club. The struggle required a high voltage power, because since the time of Homer established the fight standing, where the athletes were approaching each other with his hands up and tried to stretch the opponent to the ground, using different techniques. Prostrate enemy continued to fight lying down, and it lasted until the exhausted athlete is not admitted himself defeated. Rough techniques to combat prohibited, and especially the spectators delight virtuoso technique of the athletes. It is thanks to the excellent knowledge of the methods of the famous Aristodem Elidy not have the powerful build.

Known in ancient Greece and the winner of six Olympic Milon: the power of his iron muscles and legendary perseverance of glory thundered far outside the state.

As a child pastushonok Milon, by nature endowed with extraordinary strength, every morning raised over a calf and twine around his native city. Milon young, growing and tyazhelel calf, and once a day, when the Hercules carried on their shoulders the adult bull. When Milon was the famous mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, in the class suddenly became a pillar collapse at home. And then he stood up to the place columns, hands and shoulders podper set home and was so until Pythagoras and other disciples go to a safe distance.

A shepherd Titorm able to keep two huge bulls on the ground, grasp them by the hind legs. A bull once managed to break all the same, but the fist Titorma his left hoof.

The most difficult match was considered pankration - a combination club fight and struggle. Opponents, totally naked, to rely only on body flexibility, agility and strength of muscles. Apply the rough methods is strictly forbidden and any rules pankrationa were particularly stringent, but the victory was truly magnificent. When in 407 BC pankratiast known from the island of Rhodes during the sea battle at Notii fell captive to the Athenians, he immediately released, and even without a buyout. In the year 333 BC, just as did Alexander the Great: the famous ancient military leader ordered the release of Dionisidora getting prisoner in the Battle of Issa to learn that it is olimpionik.

The third day was devoted Games competitions most young boys. Although they had all the same as their adult companions, the rules for them were pomyagche. For example, the distance is shortened by half in the running, a smaller distance jumper appointed, and the judges were not so demanding.

At the end of each competition herald to the whole stadium solemnly declared the winner′s name and home, and then ellanodiki again commanded him to appear before them on the last day of games for the awards. Then the entire stadium again olimpionikov sounding names and titles of their home towns. Thrice In announcing this, herald trumpets in the tube, spread over the sacred forest songs in honor of victorious athletes, who were near olive wreath - only one branch of olives, lightly bound and held together by tape. Special awards were given for the "family of victory, when one family from generation to generation, brought up the winners of the Olympic Games.

After the end of games all night till the dawn continued joyful feast. When a wreath at the Olympic winner has received the renowned philosopher Empedokl, he put food on the bull, sleplennogo of sweet dough and expensive spices. In the V century BC, the famous Athenian commander Alkiviad won several awards and won the equestrian competitions, invited to the feast, not only all the spectators, but even the horses that participated in ristalische1. He commissioned the best artists to write a picture depicting their victories, and a famous poet Euripides - winning the national anthem.

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Greek poet Simonid dedicated young olimpioniku Feognetu these verses:

Here it is, see, Feognet - winner in Olympia, a boy,

Equally beautiful in appearance, as well as skillful in battle,

And at the stadium deftly able to edit horses

He crowns the glory of the city of venerable fathers.

There on the solemn feasts and celebrated poems Pindara:

And the evening sparkle light sweet beautiful faces of the moon.

In all the sacred grove during the meal and fun songs of praise rang.

With the advent of a new day olimpioniki sacrificed gods and travel to their home towns, which had earlier sent dolihodromy (walker), to inform family, friends and fellow name of the new winner. Athletes returning home in the purple clothes, and here, too, waited for their solemn meetings and ceremonies. Meet the hero went almost the whole city, it happens that to deal with even the solemn celebration of the city wall, and the athlete, the winner entered in a chariot through the strait, past the gate. In this way, citizens wanted to show that their city, which is a famous athlete, does not need walls: at the right time the winner will be able to protect them from any adversity. The grateful citizens honor their heroes and cash awards, according to the law Solon each olimpionik received 500 pieces of silver in Athens.

From 540 BC winners have the right to put a statue in Olympia with the attributes of events, such as disk or a spear in his hands. But the statue with a portrait resemblance to deliver only the athlete, who won the games on three occasions. Even in times Pavsaniya in Olympia faced more than 230 statues surviving from grabitelstva Romans.

Sometimes, the statues olimpionikam ordered by the city, and put them not only in Olympia, but the home hero. The winners grant the right to bring their own images of the victim, as the gods, god of heroes and fellow citizens.

Even in his youth from the island famed Featen Fasos: at age 16 he catch away a bronze statue, which stood at the market square of his native city. Statue Of course, had to return to the scene, but the glory of the extraordinary power of the young men spread across all cities in Greece. Subsequently Featen on its glorious and sporting a long way collected more than 1400 victorious wreaths. However, one of the enemies, after the death of olimpionika, decided to punish his enemy dead: every night he came to his statue, and flog her whipping. But the statue punish evil svyatotattsa, falling, it killed him. According to then-existing law, any object, fallen and killed people, could no longer stay in the city, and the statue Featena thrown into the sea. But in the same year his fellow struck crop failure, and because of this - hunger. Priests tied these troubles with the memory of the hero desecration and frighten residents of catch nets, and the statue again hoisted on a pedestal. Since then the mill fighter Featen become the patron of farmers, and also considers healer.

The ancient Greeks celebrated their winners and the issuance of special coins. According to Aristotle, the first coin on the Olympics, appeared in 480 BC. Then Anaksilas, government and urban Messan Regiuma, during the 75 th Olympic Games has won races at the mules, and in honor of his victory has issued new coins. And since his victory coincided with the time when he was brought to Sicily hares, on one side of the coin was portrayed zapryazhenny in mule cart, and on the other - the hare.

On the island of Kos a silver coin, against the backdrop of a tripod, depicts a disc thrower. On the copper coin of the city surrounded Smirna placed palm fist as a symbol of the victory of their fellow countryman. It is very rare and therefore considered to be very valuable today, Athens dekadrahma also broken in honor of the Olympics 480 years BC. It is found during excavations at the beginning of XX century, it is perfectly preserved, and because of wanting to buy coins hanging was not.

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In November 1980, dekadrahmu will be traded, and she received the American numismatist N. Hunt, who paid her for 1500000 dollars.

Many city-states of ancient Greece and Mediterranean policies produced coins in honor of the Olympic Games, winners of Games of Zeus and the patron. For example, in the honor of winning races at the Olympic games of 356 BC Macedonian king Philip II otchekanil silver tetradrahmu: on its face was placed a portrait of the winner, but on the back - the head of Zeus. Issue of coins with the Olympic theme was continued, and when the son of Philip II - the great military leader Alexander of Macedon. In the ancient world enjoyed great fame silver dekadrahma city Syracuse, released in governance Dionisy I. Illustrated in her jumpy quadriga reproduces one of the many victories at the Olympic racecourse king Gierona.

The significance of the Olympic Games was so great that in ancient times from the first years of the Olympics has been calculated, which is preserved in the era of Roman rule, though, along with the Olympic era, there was another countdown years - from the foundation of Rome. But, heard about the richness of Olympia, in the III century, it passed over the Danube invaded by barbarian tribes, and later Emperor Theodosius I banned the chronology of the Olympics and ordered to carry the statue of Zeus, the Olympic Constantinople. After 30 years on the orders of another emperor, Feodossia II, Olympia, with its temples and altars were made of fire . . .

In 1723 French scientist Monfokon proposed to rebuild Olympia, but it took more than 100 years, that here began the excavation. And even after 70 years with a proposal to revive the Olympic Games was made by Baron Pierre de Kuberten, French public figure. He believed that the idea of the Olympic movement breathe in humanity "spirit of freedom, peaceful competition and physical perfection, will contribute to cultural cooperation among peoples. " In June 1894 the Paris International Congress was held, attended by representatives of sports organizations, 12 countries, decided on the resumption of the Olympic Games and the first Olympics in 1896 in Greece. These games have been played 44 sets of medals in nine sports: the classic struggle, cycling, gymnastics, athletics, swimming, shooting, tennis, weightlifting and fencing.

In the Olympic Charter states that in the same year when the Olympics will be held and the Winter Olympic Games - a series of independent events.

Issue of coins with the Olympic theme was resumed only in 1952, when after the XV Summer Olympics in Helsinki otchekanili value of 500 marks. On its front side put the word "Finland" (in Finnish and Swedish) and the face value, but on the back - five interlocking rings, the date of minting and the inscription "XV Olympiad in Helsinki Finland, however, the example of other countries have not followed, and only 1964 in Austria, was released on a coin of 50 shillings. On its obverse portrayed the emblems of all the Austrian provinces, the inscription "Republic of Austria" and the face value indicated on the reverse - the inscription "IX Winter Olympic Games, 1964, Innsbruck, the five Olympic rings and picture jumper jumping on the background of the Tyrolean mountains.

The most graceful of Olympic coins has become a contemporary Japanese coins in denominations of 1,000 yen. It depicts the sacred mountain of Fuji in the frame of the branches of flowering Sakura. This piece so beautiful that she bestowed upon her attention, even international counterfeiter. Therefore, all the directories for collectors warn of the possibility of forgery.