Why was selected hold at the ancient olympic game?
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Why was Olympic selected to hold at the ancient Olympic Games?
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The ancient Olympics were as much a religious festival as an athletic event. The games were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus, and on the middle day of the games, 100 oxen would be sacrificed to him.
To understand why the "selected hold" was chosen at the ancient Olympic Games, we need to delve into the structure and significance of these ancient sporting events.
In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were held every four years in Olympia, starting in 776 BCE and continuing until the 4th century CE. These games were an integral part of the Greek culture and were dedicated to the god Zeus. The ancient Olympics primarily featured athletic competitions, including running, jumping, throwing, and combat sports.
Now, coming to the concept of the "selected hold." The ancient Olympic Games implemented a system known as the "Ekecheiria," which translates to a "holding of hands" or a "truce." This truce, or hold, was declared before and during the Games to promote peace and allow athletes and spectators to travel safely to and from Olympia.
During the Ekecheiria, conflicts and wars among Greek city-states were temporarily suspended, and a sacred truce was observed. Participants, including athletes, spectators, and officials (including women and slaves), were allowed safe passage to Olympia.
The selected hold played a crucial role during the Games because it ensured the safety and peace required for the smooth conduct of the sporting events. It allowed athletes from various Greek city-states, who might otherwise be enemies, to come together and compete without fear of hostilities.
To implement this hold, heralds were sent to every city-state to announce the date of the Games and proclaim the truce. To enforce the selected hold, sanctuaries called "pemaskē" were established along the routes to the Games, where disputes were forbidden. Violation of the Ekecheiria was a severe offense and could result in a fine or exclusion from future games.
Thus, the selected hold at the ancient Olympic Games played a significant role in promoting peace, ensuring the safety of participants, and allowing the diverse athletes of ancient Greece to compete in a spirit of unity and sportsmanship.