End of the Ancient Olympic Games: What Happened
The ancient Olympic Games, first held at Olympia in 776 BC according to tradition, ended after more than a thousand years in the late Roman period. The traditional date is 393 AD, based on the belief that the emperor Theodosius I stopped the Games as part of his laws banning pagan worship, since the festival was held in honor of Zeus. However, no surviving law specifically mentions the Olympics, and the exact date is debated. Some historians believe the Games continued for a few more decades and ended around 426 AD, under Theodosius II, when orders were issued to destroy pagan temples. By then, the festival had already declined as Christianity spread and the empire faced economic troubles and invasions. Olympia itself suffered from fires, earthquakes and floods from the nearby rivers, which eventually buried the site under several meters of mud. Its location was forgotten until it was rediscovered in the 18th century and excavated by German archaeologists from 1875. Inspired by the ancient festival, the Olympic Games were revived in Athens in 1896.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the ancient Olympic Games end?
The traditional date is 393 AD, when the emperor Theodosius I is believed to have ended them. Some historians think the Games continued until around 426 AD.
Why did the ancient Olympic Games end?
The Games were a religious festival in honor of Zeus. As Christianity spread and pagan worship was banned, the festival declined and eventually ended.
How long did the ancient Olympic Games last?
The ancient Olympic Games lasted more than a thousand years, from the traditional first Games in 776 BC to their end in the late 4th or early 5th century AD.
What happened to Olympia after the Games ended?
Olympia suffered fires, earthquakes and floods, which buried the site under several meters of mud. It was forgotten until rediscovered in the 18th century.
When were the Olympic Games revived?
The Olympic Games were revived as the modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, inspired by the ancient festival at Olympia.
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