The Modern Games
After the end of the ancient Olympic games, the buried but still smoldering ember of Olympic athleticism burst into flame once again at the revived Games in Athens in 1896. But what happened to the Greeks and the Olympic spirit during the 1,504 years between the ancient and modern Games?
Byzantine Greece (395-1453 AD)
How did ancient Greek society go from democratic self-rule and mythic-religious worship of the Pantheon of Greek gods to being Romanized and Christianized in the Byzantine Empire? The first major event was the fall of the city-states of ancient Greece to Roman conquerors in 146 BC. When the Roman emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in AD 312, he was aggressive in proselytizing his newfound faith and in stamping out all trace of the ancient Greek "pagan" religion. Then, in AD 330, Constantine created a new capital for the Roman Empire, named Constantinople, on the site of Byzantium, a Greek city. When Rome split in the 4th century AD, Greece became part of its eastern half, the Byzantine Empire. Orthodox Christianity was the dominant religion and Greek the dominant language of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire (or Byzantium) slowly formed a synthesis of late Roman institutions, orthodox Christianity, and Greek language and culture.
In an effort to wipe out all traces of the pagan religion of the twelve gods, the Parthenon in Athens was transformed into a church of "Holy Wisdom" (Saint Sophia). Similarly, the historic workshop of sculptor Pheidias at Olympia was transformed into a church in the 5th century AD (see photo above).
In addition, the Church did not encourage athletic activities, which it claimed weakens spiritual activity (Coubertin encountered similar ideas in 1880 France). The ancient Olympic games were scorned as glorifying a pagan culture.
Byzantium was a stronghold of intellectual development in a time when the rest of Europe was immersed in the dark Middle Ages. The preservation of ancient Greek manuscripts and culture by Byzantine scholars were the most important contributions of Byzantium to posterity. Intellectual life gathered at religious centers such as Mt. Athos and Meteora.
The golden age of the Byzantine Empire gradually lost its luster. Officially, the Byzantine Empire ceased to exist on May 29, 1453 AD when the Turkish sacked Constantinople, its capitol. After a glorious thousand-year span, the Byzantine Empire came to an end.
In an effort to wipe out all traces of the pagan religion of the twelve gods, the Parthenon in Athens was transformed into a church of "Holy Wisdom" (Saint Sophia). Similarly, the historic workshop of sculptor Pheidias at Olympia was transformed into a church in the 5th century AD (see photo above).
In addition, the Church did not encourage athletic activities, which it claimed weakens spiritual activity (Coubertin encountered similar ideas in 1880 France). The ancient Olympic games were scorned as glorifying a pagan culture.
Byzantium was a stronghold of intellectual development in a time when the rest of Europe was immersed in the dark Middle Ages. The preservation of ancient Greek manuscripts and culture by Byzantine scholars were the most important contributions of Byzantium to posterity. Intellectual life gathered at religious centers such as Mt. Athos and Meteora.
The golden age of the Byzantine Empire gradually lost its luster. Officially, the Byzantine Empire ceased to exist on May 29, 1453 AD when the Turkish sacked Constantinople, its capitol. After a glorious thousand-year span, the Byzantine Empire came to an end.
Under Ottoman Rule (1453-1921)
The Byzantine intellectual tradition did not die in 1453: many Greek scholars fled to the cultural centers of Europe. Several Italian universities gained Greek chairs, which exerted a strong influence on the Italian Renaissance. Elements of Greco-Roman classicism were reexamined and revived. Ancient Greek artifacts became sought-after collector's items. An extensive underground trade of Greek art was established. Coins, jewelry, statues, pediment reliefs, etc. made it to foreign museums and private collections. At the same time, governments, universities, and wealthy researchers sponsored excavations in Greek territories. As a result, ancient Troy, Mycenae, and Olympia was unearthed and discovered. The reports from these sites fueled Coubertin's interest in reviving the Olympic games. Although Ottoman rule was arbitrary and inefficient, the Greek populations of the Ottoman Empire generally enjoyed freedom of religion and considerable autonomy. Many educated Greeks held key positions in the Turkish government. Others prospered in shipping and international commerce. Tens of thousands immigrated to Egypt and established a vibrant Greek community. George Averof , the Greek benefactor who later paid for the renovation of the first Olympic stadium ( Panathenaic stadium ) was the product of the Greek community of Alexandria, Egypt.
On March 25, 1821, the Greeks revolted successfully against the Ottoman Empire. The 19th century saw the beginning of a new era in Greek history.
On March 25, 1821, the Greeks revolted successfully against the Ottoman Empire. The 19th century saw the beginning of a new era in Greek history.
The Forerunner
An English lawyer named Robert Dover created the Cotswold Olimpick Games in 1612. This multi-sport event, which continues to this day, has been acknowledged by the British Olympic Association as a precursor to the Modern Olympic Games. An attempt to emulate the ancient Olympic Games was the L'Olympiade de la République, a national Olympic festival held annually from 1796 to 1798 in Revolutionary France.[21] The competition included several disciplines from the ancient Greek Olympics. The 1796 Games also marked the introduction of the metric system into sport.
In 1850 an Olympian Class was started by Dr William Penny Brookes at Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, England. In 1859, Dr Brookes changed the name to Wenlock Olympian Games. This annual sports festival continues to this day. The Wenlock Olympian Society was founded by Dr. Brookes on November 15, 1860.
Between 1862 and 1867, Liverpool held an annual Grand Olympic Festival. Devised by John Hulley and Charles Melly, in cooperation with Dr Brookes, these games were elitist in nature since only Gentlemen could compete. Some of the Gentlemen brought their coaches with them. The programme for Athens 1896 had similarities to that of the Liverpool Olympics, but that was to be expected since Dr. Brookes had incorporated events from the 1859 Athens Olympics programme at Much Wenlock and had contributed to the programme at Liverpool. In 1865 Hulley, Dr. Brookes and E.G. Ravenstein founded the National Olympian Association in Liverpool, a forerunner of the British Olympic Association. Its articles of foundation provided the framework for the International Olympic Charter. In 1866, a national Olympic Games in Great Britain was organized at London's Crystal Palace.
In 1850 an Olympian Class was started by Dr William Penny Brookes at Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, England. In 1859, Dr Brookes changed the name to Wenlock Olympian Games. This annual sports festival continues to this day. The Wenlock Olympian Society was founded by Dr. Brookes on November 15, 1860.
Between 1862 and 1867, Liverpool held an annual Grand Olympic Festival. Devised by John Hulley and Charles Melly, in cooperation with Dr Brookes, these games were elitist in nature since only Gentlemen could compete. Some of the Gentlemen brought their coaches with them. The programme for Athens 1896 had similarities to that of the Liverpool Olympics, but that was to be expected since Dr. Brookes had incorporated events from the 1859 Athens Olympics programme at Much Wenlock and had contributed to the programme at Liverpool. In 1865 Hulley, Dr. Brookes and E.G. Ravenstein founded the National Olympian Association in Liverpool, a forerunner of the British Olympic Association. Its articles of foundation provided the framework for the International Olympic Charter. In 1866, a national Olympic Games in Great Britain was organized at London's Crystal Palace.