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Olympic Games, the most illustrious of all in Greece, take their name from Olympia, a city of Elis, the place of their celebration; or from having been instituted by Hercules in honour of Jupiter Olympius, after a victory obtained over Augeas, tyrant of Elis, B. C. 1222. They were held at the full moon on the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five days, as appears from Ol. v., 15. .

According to some authors the date of their institution was B.C. 1453. After a long interval of neglect they were reinstituted B.C. 776, in which year Chorœbus obtained the victory; and from this time the era of the Olympiads is usually dated.

The exercises at these games consisted of running, wrestling, leaping, throwing the discus, and boxing with the cæstus; which were altogether called by the name, or quinquertium, and comprehended in the well-known Greek verse:

The reward of the victor was a crown of the wild olive-tree, called (Ol. iv., 19,) : which, according to the mythological story, had been transplanted at Olympia by Hercules from the hyperborean regions; which fable is related at large in the third Olympic ode. Besides the five contests mentioned above, there were at these games horse and chariot races, and contentions in poetry, eloquence, and the fine arts. They were celebrated with every mark of solemnity: the preparations for the festival were very great: none but persons of unblemished character were allowed to present themselves as combatants; and they were attended by spectators from every part of Greece. Near the goal of the stadium was placed the semicircular seat of the Olympic judges, who were called hellanodici; and behind them was the large tract of land known by the name of Altis; for a description of which see the note on Ol. x., 62.