A Scene at the Olympic Games (litho)

A Scene at the Olympic Games. This great festival was held every four years, a period of time which from this circumstance was known as an Olympiad. All the people of Greece were invited to its celebration, and, to enable them to attend, the Delphic oracle declared a general armistice to extend over the time taken up by the Games. The victors were crowned with olive wreaths, which was esteemed by the Greeks as a very high honour. The contests consisted of trials of strength and agility, such as boxing, wrestling, and foot-races, and also of horse and chariot races. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.