Elis

1000 BCE

Approximate construction of the sanctuary at Olympia.

776 BCE

The first Olympic Games are held at Olympia.

724 BCE

The double stadion race is added to the Olympic Games.

720 BCE

The long distance race is added to the Olympic Games.

708 BCE

The pentathlon is added to the Olympic Games.

688 BCE

Boxing is added to the Olympic Games.

680 BCE

The four horse chariot race is added to the Olympic Games.

676 BCE

Pisa takes posession of Olympia.

648 BCE

The pankration, utilizing boxing and wrestling, is added to the Olympic Games.

632 BCE

Boys’ sports are added to the Olympic Games.

628 BCE

The boys’ pentathlon is held for the only year at the Olympic Games.

616 BCE

Boys’ boxing is added to the Olympic Games.

600 BCE

The Temple of Hera is constructed at Olympia.

572 BCE

Olympia comes under the jurisdiction of Elis.

560 BCE

The Olympic Stadium is constructed at Olympia.

520 BCE

Glaukos, a boxer from Karystos, wins in the Olympic Games.

520 BCE

The hoplite race is added to the Olympic Games.

500 BCE

The Olympic Stadium at Olympia is significantly remodeled.

500 BCE

The mule cart race is added to the Olympic Games.

496 BCE

The mare cart race is added to the Olympic Games.

479 BCE

The Greek alliance, consisting of Aegina, Athens, Corinth, Megara, Thespiai, Orchomenos, Epidauros, Troizen, Halieis, Elis, Hermione, and Sparta defeate the Persians and Thebes at the Battle of Plataea.

470 BCE

The Prytaneion is constructed at Olympia.

450 BCE

The Temple of Zeus is constructed at Olympia.

444 BCE

The mare cart race and mule cart race are removed from the Olympic Games.

431 BCE

Kranion, Same, Pale, and Pronnoi join the Athenian alliance without force.

430 BCE

Phidias constructs the statue of Zeus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, at Olympia.

430 BCE

Sparta attacks Zakynthos with 1000 troops. They burn the countryside but fail to take the city.

421 BCE

Athens settles Spartan helot deserters and Messenians from Pylos at Kranion.

421 BCE

Argos organizes an alliance with Mantinea, Corinth, Elis, and Thebes against Athens and Sparta.

419 BCE

Athens transports the Spartan helots and Messenians previously moved to Kranion back to Pylos to annoy Sparta.

418 BCE

Sparta and their allies Tegea defeat Athens and their allies Argos, Mantineia, Kleonai, and Aegina in the Battle of Mantineia. As part of the truce, Argos gives up its alliance with Athens and Elis, Orchomenos is given to Sparta, and Athens is evicted from Epidauros.

415 BCE

The Sicilian expedition of Athens against Syracuse departs. Ainos, Argos, Mantineia, and Elis provide support. Akragas remains neutral.

413 BCE

The Athenian general Demosthenes takes aboard heavy infantry from Zakynthos and Kephallenia (likely including Same) and crosses over to the opposite coast of Akarnania to Alyzeia and Anaktorion, already held by Athens.

408 BCE

The two horse chariot race is added to the Olympic Games.

400 BCE

The Metroon is built at Olympia.

396 BCE

A competition for heralds and trumpeters is added to the Olympic Games.

362 BCE

Epaminondas and Boeotia defeat Sparta at the Battle of Mantinea. However, the death of Epaminondas would spell Thebes‘ downfall. On the side of Thebes were Tegea, Argos, Messene, Sikyon, and the Aenianians. On the side of Sparta were Heraia, Athens, Elis, and Mantinea.

350 BCE

The Echo Stoa is built at Olympia.

336 BCE

The Philippeion is constructed by either Philip II or Alexander III (then later) at Olympia.

300 BCE

The Leonidaion is built at Olympia to house visitors.

220 BCE

The Social War begins, pitting members of the Achaian League, including Aegira, Patrai, Dyme, Bura, Sikyon, Corinth, Megalopolis, Messenia, Argos, Elis, and Macedon, against Sparta under King Kleomenes III, who were supported by the Aetolian League and Athens.

218 BCE

Philip V attempts to take Pale, but finds it too difficult and leaves.

211 BCE

The Romans under Marcus Valerius Laevinus take Zakynthos except for the citadel.

200 BCE

A vaulted archway to the Olympic Stadium is constructed in Olympia.

191 BCE

Rome under Marcus Fulvius Nobilior conquers Zakynthos.

189 BCE

Kranion surrenders to the Romans without resistance.

189 BCE

Same destroyed by Fulvius Nobilior.

86 BCE

Sulla robs the artifacts of Olympia to pay for the war.

80 BCE

Sulla uses the Olympic Games at Olympia to celebrate his victory over Mithridates VI.

12 BCE

The Olympic Games at Olympia are subsidized by Herod I of Judea on a request from Augustus.

65 CE

The Olympic Games at Olympia are postponed for two years under orders of Nero.

67 CE

The Emperor Nero travels to Greece and visits Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Epidauros, and Thebes.

100 CE

New baths are constructed in Olympia.

150 CE

The Nympheum is added in Olympia.

160 CE

An aqueduct is constructed for Olympia.

267 CE

Olympia is sacked by invading tribes.

393 CE

The last Olympic Games are held at Olympia.

426 CE

Theodosius I orders the temples of Olympia destroyed.

522 CE

An earthquake severely damages Olympia.

2023 CE
April 4

The author of this page tours Olympia, runs the ancient track, and photographs a rainbow behind the Temple of Zeus.

2023 CE
April 17

The author of this page can’t find the ruins of Same, but is aided by his wife. There, they are guided by a nice man who lives in the area.

2023 CE
April 18

The author of this page and his wife get lost while trying to find the ruins of Kranion, and are forced to give up the endeavour.