OLYMPIA, o-/y7/2'13/-a a small plain in Elis, north of the Alpheus and east of the Cladeus, containing the sacred grove (Alas) and temple (Olym;bie'um), with the famous colossal statue (fifty cubits high), by Phidias, of Jupiter (Olym plus). The statue, one of the most perfect spe cimens of Greek art, was made of ivory and gold, and was seated on a throne of cedar wood, which was ornamented with ivory, ebony, gold, and precious stones. Other temples and public edifices had gradually grown up, and formed the cluster of buildings also termed Olympia. Olympia was famous for the greatest Greek national festival, the 0 lyntpic games, celebrated here after every four years. The games, instituted at a remote period, were re-established by King Iphitus of Elis, assisted by the Spartan lawgiver Ly , curgus and Cleosthenes of Pisa, 884 (or 828) I B.C., and were celebrated at the end of every four years (see OLYMPIAS, I), on the first full moon after the summer solstice. Their cele bration was long contested between Elis and the original celebrant, Pisa, successfully by the Pisatans, 748 and 644 ; but their subjuga tion, 572, by the Eleans left the latter the honour undisputed. During the month of the games (lEpca tivi a) a truce (4sexcpi.)was pro claimed, and all warfare was suspended throughout Greece, and the territory of Elis was for the time sacred. The festival, under
the patronage of Jupiter Olympias, and at tended by an immense throng from all parts of Greece, was celebrated with sacrifices, pro cessions, games, and banquets to the victors ; the games consisted of foot-races for men and boys, leaping, throwing the discus and spear, wrestling, boxing, horse and chariot races, and contests of heralds and trumpeters ; the prize was a garland of wild olive (roz/roc), cut from a tree in the Altis, and was placed on the head of the victor while he was standing on a bronze covered tripod, or, later, on a table of ivory and gold, while palm-branches were put in his hands, and his name and that of his father and his country were proclaimed by a herald, a triumphal ode being sung to him on his return home. The prize was awarded by judges, liel leinbdlar, who were chosen by lot from among the Eleans, and who, with their subordinate officers, preserved order. It was very common for authors to recite their literary compositions at this gathering, and artists exhibited their productions. No women or slaves were al lowed to be present, and the competitors were all of pure Greek blood till the admission of the Romans, on their conquest of Greece. The Olympia were discontinued after Alaric's in vasion, A.D. 396.