With such a prestigious event as the Olympic Games, with a history stretching back for centuries, it is not surprising that a number of myths and legends have sprung up surrounding its origin.
The Legend of Pelops
One of two tales which describe the founding of the Olympics tells how Pelops won the hand in marriage of Hippodamia. Her father, King Oeomaus lived in fear of a prophecy predicting he would be killed by his future son-in-law. To date, the King had killed thirteen suitors before Pelops asked for Hippodamia's hand. Challenged to a chariot race, Pelops bribed the King's charioteer, Myrtilus, into helping him. The bronze lynchpins holding the wheels to the chariot axle were replaced with pins of beeswax which disintegrated during the race, causing the wheels to fly off sending the King to his death.
One version of the tale claims the Games were held to honour the memory of Oeomaus, the other, that they were a victory celebration to honour Pelops' achievement.
