Olympia, the principal site of the Panhellenic games, was one of the most
ancient cult centers of the Peloponnese. There the great religious festival and games, at
the sanctuary of Zeus, convened every four years in honor of Zeus. This festival, in which
athletics were only a part, consisted of various cult activities. Athletic competition,
limited to free male Greek athletes, was always in the nude. In a culture preoccupied with
the body and self-gratification which tolerated, if not promoted, homosexuality, the games
served as a venue for predators seeking boy athletes. The Greeks excluded women from
attending the Olympic games on penalty of death.
The Palaestra at Olympia which provided an area for athletes to
exercise, and for boxing and wrestling contests. Photo courtesy of Dimitri Haitalis.