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What Today's Games Owe to the Ancient Olympics

Pankration scene. Black-figured Panathenaic amphora. 5th century B.C. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A religious event, the Olympics honored the Greek god Zeus and were abolished by one of the Christian emperors. There were neither women nor Olympic torches, but some of the events have survived the modern incarnation.

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Roman Games in July

Wednesday July 9, 2008
Apollo
Apollo © Clipart.com
From the 6th to the 13th, the Romans celebrated games in honor of Apollo. These popular games started when the Romans needed help against the Phoenicians and became permanent when the Romans faced a plague. Apollo was appropriate for the honored god because he was connected with plagues and healing.
Ludi Apollinares
Roman Games - Ludi
The Circus Maximus
Asclepius and Apollo

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