Illustrated by David Kennett
The 8th century BCE, and the city-states of Greece are in an almost constant state of war. To stop the bloodshed, King Iphitus of Elis revives a tradition, an athletic contest to honour the gods, and calls on the warring groups to send contestants to the sacred grove at Olympia.
These games survive for hundreds of years, becoming the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games. The ancient site of Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic sporting tradition.
