Expert: Maria - 8/31/2004

Question
Where was the first modern Olympic games held?  Where were ancient Olympics held?

Answer
Hello,

the first modern Olympic games took place in ATHENS, Greece, in 1896.

The ancient Olympic Games were held  at OLYMPIA, a city in ancient Elis (a region in southern Greece on the Peloponnesos peninsula) where the first Olympic Games took place  in 776 B.C.
These games, that  took place every four years at OLYMPIA (hence the name Olympic games)  were so important that even wars were stopped at the time they were held.
The four year interval was called an Olympiad, and was the system upon which time in ancient Greek history was calculated.
The ancient Olympic games were abolished by the Roman  Emperor Theodosius in 394 A.D, because of their pagan influences, after  more than 1,000 years,

Have a nice day.
Maria