Assemble for the Games

The gods

Many myths demonstrate the importance of the Games. In ancient times, any celebration is often (if not always) linked to one or many gods. In this period, Greek mythology was of great importance, the Games have origins linked to legends and stories. They have a religious character because they act as ritual in honour of the gods. Athletes do not run for them but for their gods.
It is for the gods that the Games are dedicated and therefore to them that legends are reported. Among the legends, the best known and most expected are those of Zeus, Pelops and Heracles.

Some mythological stories

• “Pelops, who came from Lydia, defeated the king of Pisa (Oenomaos) in a chariot race. After that, he married his daughter (Hippodamie) and ascended to the throne of Pisa. He took the opportunity to build the dynasty Pelopides (later Atrides) and thus give his name to the region of the Peloponnese which means Isle of Pelops. “
• “Hercules was the first creator of competitions. He initiated and established the track of Olympia. The competition would be the first race. The winner was crowned with a crown of olive by Herakles. The olive wreath came from a olive tree that Heracles had planted in Olympia. “
• “A Olympia. Zeus defeated Kronos in a fight”

Zeus

Rhea and Kronus were his parents. His mother had to use a subterfuge so his son can live. Indeed, Kronos devoured its children at birth for fear of being dethroned by one of them. Zeus was entrusted to the care of the nymph Adrastus and his sister Io. Then she gave Kronos her swaddling in which she had placed a large stone. He swallowed thinking it was Zeus.
Grown up, Zeus decided to dethrone Kronos. He then turned to the Metis Titanide for assistance. Through a magic potion, Kronos spits all the children he had eaten. Zeus fought with his brothers and sisters for ten years against Kronos and the Titans helped by the Cyclopes and Hecatonchires. This war was called Gigantomachy and is represented on the Parthenon temple in Athens.
The Cyclopes offered lightning for Zeus, the trident for Poseidon and for a helmet of invisibility to Hades.
The legend says that it is at Olympia that Zeus defeated Kronos to the fight.
The Titans were finally beaten by Zeus and his brothers. All that remained was to Zeus to fight against the monster Typhon.

So the 3 brothers divided the world. Zeus told Hades that he would lead the underworld of Hells and Poseidon that he would prevail on the seven Seas, rivers … Zeus reserves the heavenly and earthly world for himself.
Zeus exiled his father and married the Titanide Metis. But Zeus was warned by an oracle against his wife. To get rid of it, he swallowed it. Zeus courted his sister Hera but in vain. He was transformed into wet cuckoo. Hera took pity and she grips him against her. Then Zeus took back its original form and seduces her. They were married but Zeus had many adventures with goddesses, nymphs and mortals. He had many children: gods, goddesses, half-gods, nymphs, heroes and kings.

Hera and the gods of Olympus had enough of Zeus’ escapade. During his sleep, they bind him.
While the gods wondered how they would share power, Thetis the nereid, sensing a war among the gods. She went looking Briar cent arm so that it delivers Zeus.
To punish Hera, Zeus suspended her in the sky with a gold chain attached to the wrist and an anvil on each ankle. No gods dare to set her free. Zeus released her on condition that all gods promise him to never revolt against him.