3 The show

Chapter 3 The show Every fourth Spring, three heralds journeyed around Greece to announce a period of peace, known as the Olympic truce, for one month before and after the Games.

The Greeks were constantly at war but, during the truce, fighting was banned near Olympia so that people could travel to the festival in safety. Put your feet up, lads! As soon as the truce was over, everyone went back to battle.

After 100 years of the Games there were 18 main events. The first was a chariot race known as the tethrippon, which took place in an arena called the Hippodrome.

One of the highlights was the pentathlon, a series of five events. According to legend, this was invented by a Greek hero named Jason, who competed in the first pentathlon against his friend, Peleus. The pentathlon included throwing the discus... throwing the javelin...

running... wrestling... and the long jump.

The most brutal event was a savage fighting contest called the pankration. Men could punch, kick and break each other's bones. The only things that weren't allowed were biting and eye gouging.