Olympia

I may try something new with this post. I may add photos later and in smaller batches. I am having trouble uploading.

Anyway The ruins of Olympia were a short walk from our hotel. We started in the Olympic Museum where you could see models of what the area looked like throughout the years. It also talked a little about the sporting events and the athletes. The kids, of course, got a kick out of the fact that the athletes competed naked and that women weren't allowed to compete or view the games. Only one woman was pardoned for watching her son because she came from such a distinguished line of athletes. Any other woman was banished.

They also had a code of no fighting during the time before, during, and after the games.

Walking through the ruins was spectacular. You could see where the athletes got ready, the Temple of Zeus, where the artists shop was that created a large statue of Zeus that is no longer standing but they found several of the molds used to create the folds of his robes.

We entered the stadium where you could start at the actual starting line and run about 200m in the heat. You passed by the stands where the stautes of the cheaters were displayed. They did not take kindly quitters, cheaters, or blood dopers. There were special urine tasters that could tell if you had used animal blood to give you an edge. (an interesting fact for you)

You also saw the Altar of Athena where the Olympic torches are originally lit before they make their trek around the world.

And right beyond was the Circle of Philippeion was started by Alexander the Great's father, Phillip II, and completed by Alexander himself. It housed statues of their family members and no less than six statues of Alexander.

The Archaelogical museum held amazing artifacts including the bronze pots and ancient discs and jumping weights. If you won a championship you could ask if you could get a statute made of yourself as a prize.

There were also pieces of glass from the artists house and a cup with his name on the bottom.