Olympic Games Were Incredibly Popular, Sold Out

Olympic Games were incredibly popular, sold out events that ran every four years for twelve centuries. That they were so popular and so long-lived indicates that the Olympic Games held a vital place in Greek society. As Perrottet () notes, the Greek writer Epictetus saw the Games as a metaphor for human existence. As noted, the Games were a difficult experience, fraught with heat, crowds, dirt, clamor, insect infestations and other hassles. Yet, despite these hardships, they were "an unforgettable spectacle" (p. 11). Life itself has always been full of difficulty, born of our environment and the human condition, yet we persevere because we want to experience life as richly as we can. The metaphor holds well, because just as Olympic champions are those who overcome the most, Western society in particular also places emphasis on heroes and champions, those who overcome all of the challenges in order to triumph.

With this metaphor in mind, the celebratory aspect of the Games -- sporting events as part of a massive festival featuring all manner of entertainment forms -- highlights the celebration of life. The celebratory times in one's life are to be treasured, and we all aspire to celebrate like champions. Greek society defined itself in part by the Olympics, because they were the embodiment not only of athletic ideals but of life itself. The symbolism was powerful for the Greeks, and is why the Olympic Games were held in such high regard and became an integral part of the culture of the land.

Another aspect of the Olympics that held significant appeal was that it was a pan-Hellenic festival. Ancient Greece was a collection of island kingdoms and city-states, often in conflict with one another. These rivalries were contrasted with a pan-Hellenic identity forged of common language, heritage and certain common cultural aspects. The Olympics were a place where a truly Greek identity was forged despite the backdrop of disparate political divisions.

Further to the concept of Hellenic unity, the Olympic Games in ancient times represented an opportunity for society to come together. Because the Games were a magnet for people from across Greece, they became not only the epicenter of a great party, but also of political intrigue, gossip and socializing. Even the Olympic truce was tests at times. The Games represented an opportunity for the country's power brokers to meet and to shape policy. There were deals made and alliances forged as a result of the Games. As a result, the Olympics became a hotbed of Greek life, a time of tremendous influence that could have an impact on the affairs of the day.

Lastly, the Olympics were so resonant with Greek society specifically because of the body ideal. Greeks held views about the ideal bodies and they admired the pursuit of those ideals. Physical competition of all types was a virtue in Greek society, and the Olympic Games were the apex of physical competition. Sport was a spectacle in the culture, and the Olympics served to not only celebrate the importance of sport to the culture but to reinforce it.

All of these different elements of appeal contributed to the value that Greek society placed on the Olympic Games, and made them the success that they became. Over time, the appeal of the Games only grew, and they became such an integral part of Greek society that only when they were banned by Christians did they finally cease.

2. It was in the spirit of the ancient Games that Pierre de Coubertin designed the modern games. He saw the Games as a metaphor for a set of ideals that he wanted to see in the world, including sportsmanship, competition and harmony, in addition to viewing the games as a means of idealizing the human form. The modern Olympics are a successor to the ancient Games, and were brought back at a point in time when both athletic competition and nationalism were coming back into vogue.

As with the Greeks, modern society emphasizes athletic competition. Sports are incredibly popular in the modern world, and with that comes an idealization of the potential of the human body. While these views were uncommon for much of the interim between the ancient games and the modern Olympics, those ideals have now been resurrected. It is not by accident that the Olympics have become a leading symbol of that resurrection, as they provide a template for modern athletic competition. Even the other aspects of the ancient Games are imitated today. Celebration is an essential part of athletic endeavor, from the rich party atmosphere that surrounds modern Olympics to tailgating at college football games.

The unifying aspect of athletic competition is also something that has carried over from the ancient games. While the ancient Olympics represented competition, they were also one of the most significant cultural artifacts in creating a coherent ethno-national identity. de Coubertin echoes this when he created the modern Olympics, as one of his intents was that sport should bring together nations in peace, and provide a platform for dialogue. Other sporting events echo this -- the World Cup in particular, but even sports on a national or regional level play this unifying role.