The first Ancient Olympic Games, in 776 BC, were also held around this time

One of the most interesting facts about the classical antiquity period is that the first Ancient Olympic Games, in 776 BC, were also held around this time. The ancient Olympic Games were a series of athletic tournaments between city-state representatives and one of the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. They were held in Zeus' honor, and the Greeks gave them mythological significance. The first Olympic Games are thought to have taken place in 776 BC. The games, which were held every four years, became a unit of time in historical chronologies. They were still observed until Greece fell under Roman control in the second century BC. Their final recorded festival was in AD 393, under the reign of Emperor Theodosius I, but archeological evidence suggests that some games continued after this period. The games most certainly ended during Theodosius II's tenure, probably as a result of a fire that destroyed the Olympian Zeus' temple during his reign.

The ancient Olympics had fewer events than the current games, and only freeborn Greek men were permitted to compete, while triumphant women chariot owners were permitted. Athletes from any Greek city-state or kingdom were welcome to compete as long as they completed the entry requirements. The games were always held in Olympia, rather than traveling around as is the tradition with the Olympic Games. Olympic champions were celebrated, and their achievements were documented for future generations.