The next time you watch the extravaganza that is the modern Olympic Games, consider this: It all started with a simple footrace. To history lovers like me, the Sanctuary of Olympia — the religious ...

She is author of The Ancient Olympic Games, a guide to both the games and the site of ancient Olympia. She acted as consultant for a documentary video on the ancient Olympics made for the ...

Image caption, The ancient Olympic athletes would enter the stadium by walking under this archway. The ancient games were also a religious festival, held in honour of Zeus, the king of the gods.