Greece gave the world the ancient Olympic Games, which were held at Olympia in the western Peloponnese.
The ancient festival honored Zeus and traditionally began in 776 BC, although athletic and religious activity at Olympia existed earlier. Competitors came from Greek cities and colonies to take part in events such as footraces, wrestling, boxing, chariot racing, and the pentathlon. The games were part of a broader religious festival rather than a modern-style international sporting event.
The ancient Olympics continued for nearly 12 centuries before being ended in the late fourth century AD, commonly associated with the reign of the Roman emperor Theodosius I. The modern Olympic Games began in Athens in 1896 after Pierre de Coubertin helped organize their revival. Ancient Olympia and modern Athens are therefore connected, but they are not the same venue. The Olympic rings and many modern events were created long after the ancient festival.