ATHENS

FIRST ATTEMPTS

1896 OLYMPICS

ISSUES

SYMBOLS

Stadium

Parade

Anthem

G. Averof

S. Louis

The relation to the past

"Our shared present is based on our shared past". This concept has been used for the legitimization of the central authority in 19th cent. Greece. The common past, which was based on common origin, proved the coexistence of the Greeks under the authority of a national state and helped to overcome the differences between them.

The organisation of the Olympic Games is directly related to their classical origin. The symbols of the classical past were used in a new -national- context. The following is a characteristic extract from the description of the games:

"The decoration of the Stadium is exceptional. At the entrance very tall masts have been erected and on them standards and coat-of-arms are hung, and on each side a replica of ancient tripods. All around close to the marble parapet are poles with coat-of-arms, while close to the sphendone the two ancient stone Hermes heads which we found during the excavations of the ancient track have been set up."
[Beck, Ch. (ed.), Oi Olympiakoi Agones, 776 BC - 1896 (The Olympic Games, 776 BC - 1896), Athens 1896]

 

Modern Olympic Games:
From Athens of 1896 to Athens of 2004

Topography:
Short description of the monuments at ancient Olympia

3D reconstructions:
Some of the most important buildings in ancient Olympia rendered in three-dimensions.

VRML:
3D reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in ancient Olympia.

Other games:
Short reference on other famous contests in ancient Greece

In the first person:
Young Ariston shares his experience in the Olympic Games

Olympic victors:
Database of the ancient Olympic victors based on each athletic event and each Olympiad

Specimen sources

Bibliography