B1GE16_[History]_Ancient Greece VIII - Origin of the Olympic Games.pptx

Ancient Greece VIII - Origin of the Olympic Games.

1. Ancient Greece (VIII): Origin of the Olympic Games Broadening English: History CEFR: B1 / TOEIC: 550-785 / GEPT: Intermediate Instructor: Students:

2. Agenda Brainstorming The Beginning of the Olympics Interesting Facts Critical Analysis

3. Brainstorming What is sportsmanship? In your opinion, why are competitive sport games beneficial to our society?

4. Brainstorming Do you know the Olympics? Can you describe the modern Olympic games? What do we do and why do people watch them?

5. The Beginning of the Olympics The first written records of the ancient Olympic Games date to 776 BC, when a cook named Coroebus won the only event — a 192-meter footrace called the stade (the origin of the modern “stadium”) — to become the first Olympic champion. However, it is generally believed that the Games had been going on for many years by that time. Legend has it that Heracles (the Roman Hercules), son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, founded the Games, which by the end of the 6th century BC had become the most famous of all Greek sporting festivals.  Source: https://www.history.com/topics/sports/olympic-games

6. The Beginning of the Olympics The ancient Olympics were held every four years between August 6 and September 19 during a religious festival honoring Zeus. Competitors could participate in races of various distances, long jump, discus and javelin throws, wrestling match, boxing, and chariot racing. Participation in the ancient Olympic Games was initially limited to freeborn male citizens of Greece; there were no women’s events, and married women were prohibited from attending the competition. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/sports/olympic-games

7. The Beginning of the Olympics The Olympic Games gave the world the idea of organized big-time sports events as entertainment for arenas full of spectators. It was the first culture in which people idolized their athletic superstars. Ancient Greeks believed that athletes had special powers, and they would compose poems to be sung about their idols and make statues to worship their favorite athletes. They even made altars in which their idol athletes could be venerated. Ancient Greeks loved sports so much that almost every city has its gymnasium where local males took off their clothes and competed in nude at various sports. Source: https://www.history.com/news/ancient-greece-sports

8. Before We Move On… Why did ancient Greeks use sports as a way to honor their deities? Why do you think they only held the Olympics every four year? Why not every year? Why would ancient Greeks idolize their athletes? Do you idolize any modern athletes? Why did ancient Greek athletes have to compete in nude? Wouldn’t they hurt themselves?

9. Interesting Facts Although ancient Olympians stood before a statue of Zeus and swore to play fair, some athletes were willing to take risks for victory. That means, they cheated. The first recorded cheating scandal dates to 388 BC, when boxer Eupolus of Thessaly bribed three opponents. Politics and warfare inevitably intruded upon the ancient sporting festival. Records show that war came right to Olympia during the games in 364 BC a s the tie-breaking wrestling match in the final event of the pentathlon was taking place, invaders from Elis attacked the arena. Source: https://www.history.com/news/5-myths-about-the-ancient-olympics

10. Interesting Facts Ancient Olympics were also commercialized. In the ancient games, licensed merchants sold food, drinks, and souvenirs. Artists, sculptors and poets hawked their works. Olympic organizers could hand out fines to merchants who engaged in price gouging or sold inferior merchandise. As with many of today’s Olympians, competitors in the ancient games had a wide support assisted them in preparation and training. Greek states invested in facilities and hired trainers who assisted athletes with medicine, nutrition and physiotherapy. Source: https://www.history.com/news/5-myths-about-the-ancient-olympics

11. Critical Analysis Is cheating still a thing in modern Olympics? How should it be tackled? Warfare can disturb the games. But how can politics intrude the festival? In what way are modern Olympic Games commercialized? Why would country states invest in their athletes?

12. Any Questions?