The ancient Olympic games were held in the Greek city of Olympia beginning in 776 BC. As a place of athletic competition, Olympia had a complex with a gymnasium, swimming pool and baths.
Archaeological excavations at Olympia in the late 19th century by German archaeologist Ernst Curtius generated great public interest in ancient Greece, eventually resulting in the re-institution of the Olympic Games.
The Walking Tour of Olympia illustrates gymnasium buildings, temples, villas, the Olympic flame, and the stadium entrance, where the athletes marched in the parades.
- Olympia, definition and bibliography
- A Walking Tour of Olympia
- History of the Olympics
- Beijing 08: Live the Olympics, About.com's Olympics Coverage
Added: I just got word that The Biblical Archaeology Society compiled a free, downloadable E-Book dedicated to the origins of the ancient Olympic Games. They tell me "It is a collection of articles written for them by scholars in the field, such as Stephen Miller, who excavated the site at Nemea." The book can be downloaded at The Olympic Games: How They All Began, if you'll sign up for the weekly e-newsletter of the BAS.
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