JUST FOR A CROWN OF OLIVES
Sophia Sahinidou
The Olympic Games used to be held every 4
years in Olympia . Although they were called the Olympic Games, there were not
only games but also ceremonies . They used to start in the summer, and lasted
for seven days .
The first and the
last days were offered to the gods . On the first day all the people used to
take an oath and simultaneously they used to make sacrifices to the gods . The
philosophers spoke to the people explaining their philosophies . On the second,
third, fourth and fifth days there were track and field races , like races for
running , horse races, throwing the discus and the famous Pacratium ( where the
athletes risked their lives ) . On the seventh day , which was the conclusion ,
they made sacrifices for a second time . At the end of this day everybody had a
great dinner .
During the Olympic
Games all the cities were at peace and all of them used to send athletes to
Olympia. Unfortunately , women were not allowed to take part . There was only
one woman , Kallipateira , who watched a race. She was found out and taken to
the Olympic Court , but as all the members of her family were Olympic winners ,
they did not punish her.
The winner was
given a crown of olives, which used to mean a lot. His city was very proud of
him, and when he came back the inhabitants of this town used to destroy a part
of the city walls.
Nowadays the
Olympic winners take medals and a lot money, but in ancient times the people
used to be content with just a crown of olives.
Would you
have taken part if you had been living at that time , just for a crown of
olives ?
Sophia
Sahinidou is a 16 year old student at the Fourth Lykeio in Katerini. She spent
part of her summer holidays studying English at Edinburgh University, and has
just passed the Cambridge FCE examination. Her interests include music and
collecting model buildings. She is an enthusiastic supporter of The English
Times of Katerini, and has contributed to every edition since the first in
1996.