This relatively settled period ushered in the era of organized, all-inclusive athletic and musical competitions in which both mind and body were tested. These competitions were open to all that could afford training, and even to those who could not, since a city-state would sponsor an athlete so that he might bring glory to his hometown. Numerous local music and athletic festivals in honor of a patron god or goddess provided ample opportunities for athletes or musicians to prove their prowess and bring honor to their community. Despite our knowledge of these competitions, not much is really known about the origins of the Olympic games or why they were the most prestigious. Pausanias said that the games trace their origins back before recorded history when Cronos wrestled Zeus at Olympia.
Several myths tell of the founding of the games by ancient heroes.
Pelops was the son of Tantalus and Dione. As a young man, he went to Asia Minor to participate in a chariot race organized by the king of Pisa, Oenomaos. Race participants were suitors of Oenomaos' daughter, Hippodameia. Heeding an oracle that said his daughter would cause his death, before the race Oenomaos ordered all suitors who participated in the race to be killed. During the race, Pelops killed Oenomaos with the help of his patron god Poseidon and then married Hippodameia.