What was the role of ancient Elis in the Olympic Games?

Ancient Elis was a polis and region in the northwestern Peloponnese of Greece that organized the ancient Olympic Games at the sanctuary of Olympia for over a thousand years. The region competed with neighbouring cities like Pisa for supremacy and management of the sacred precinct before Olympia ultimately came out on top. Today, this historic territory corresponds closely to the modern regional unit of Elis.

What we know

• Ancient Elis was a polis in the northwestern Peloponnese that organized the Olympic games at Olympia for over 1000 years. [2]
• The cities of Pisa, Olympia, and Elis historically competed for supremacy of the region and management of its sacred precinct. [5]
• The historic region of Elis contains the ancient ruins of the cities of Elis, Epitalion, and Olympia. [3]
• The modern regional unit of Elis in Western Greece is nearly coterminous with ancient Elis of the classical period. [3]

Where to go next

• whereWhere was the sanctuary of Olympia located?
• what caused itHow did Pisa contend with Elis for control of Olympia?
• the bigger pictureWhat are the other regions of the Peloponnese?
• whenWhen did the ancient Olympic Games begin?
• a case in pointWhat remains of the ancient city of Elis today?
• an unexpected connectionCould ancient Pisa in Greece be linked to Italy?The ancient city-state of Pisa in Elis is sometimes credited with colonizing Pisa, Italy.

Sources

• [1]Ancient Elis (Wikidata Q6536845) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Ancient Elis · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Elis · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Regions of ancient Greece · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Pisa, Greece · CC BY-SA 4.0