The Worst (Ancient) Olympics Ever

The time a battle broke out during the pentathlon. The time a Roman dictator hijacked half the events. The time Nero ruined the chariot race. This video discusses three of the lowest points in the thousand-year course of the ancient Olympics.

For much more on the ancient Olympics and ancient athletics, check out my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans."

If you're so inclined, you can follow me elsewhere on the web:

0:00 Introduction
0:33 The Olympics that got invaded
2:46 The Olympics that were stolen
4:06 The Olympics that Nero ruined
6:42 Conclusion

Thanks for watching!

[beautyforashes]

"After a delay, the games resumed, " As if an all out war breaking out isn't any more of an incovenience than a sudden down pour. What a crazy story, I love it!

[brianlowe]

Idk what you’re talking about Nero coming by to be a one man Olympic show is great. He even added events that’s hilarious

[volkhen]

Nero’s competition must have looked like Alladeen championships from Dictator movie.

[stateofflorida]

Everyone in Rome collectively let out a sigh of disappointment that Nero hadn't been killed by those horses.

[nokomarie]

Nero seems to have been even crazier than I thought.

[diewaarheid]

More than 1800 victory crowns?!

Listless, obviously brow-beaten attendant: "Very well done my lord. You completely dominated the Opening Of The Small Hut Door event." As he ducks into the small room.
A Super pumped, and very naked Nero: "Off Course I did peasant! What is next?!" He says while flexing his pectoral muscles in turn.
The attendant says somewhat distracted, while looking around the room: "Uhm..., Well..., Oh, Yes, the Lifting Of The Small Pail Over In That Corner event! Off course, sire."
"Let's Do This!!" Nero utters while menacingly advancing on the bucket.

[yewtoob]

In 165AD, the halftime performance by Peregrinus Proteas was a flop.

[thatoneguy]

2:31 “Not pictured: desperate siege” lmao this is brilliant 🤣

[magdalenusrex]

Regarding Nero's reign, from modern perspective, it's almost a blessing for him he came in when the Roman Empire was at a height and his stupidity didn't do fundamental damage. He wasn't doing irreconcilably devastating and evil atrocities during the Empire's crossroads-point like Caracalla, or sitting on his ass watching a dying empire like Honorius/Valentinian III. He was a manchild foisted the throne to an Empire that was by powerful enough to take the hit of his incompetence.

[mouadchaiabi]

"It was never forgotten that a Roman Emperor competed at the Olympics... and made them into a travesty."

The fact that a _Roman Emperor_ competed in the Olympics surprised me. The fact that he fugged it all up did NOT surprise me.

[classiccomedycinemaprogram]

My favourite youtube notification is toldinstone😊.... I feel like a character in a movie demanding- "More Input!".

[spkspkspks]

The "Not pictured: desperate siege" made me laugh out loud. Love the videos

[magicbulletdancers]

who would've thought that I needed to know about ancient Olympics and (yes!) I want more. what an excellent video

[BalkanRedneck]

A battle taking place next to the stadium, in the midst of the Olympics is like the greatest halftime show ever.

[Lemonidas]

I feel like they should make a comedy film about Nero's olympics. Seriously. The man would be a comedic legend if he wasn't so disastrous and cruel in fact.

[niklask]

Imagine at the modern olympics an army suddenly occupies the arena

[akidim]

Nero was that guy that would ask you for some of your chips in school and when he would have some and you asked him for some he would tell you no

[valmarsiglia]

Love that book cover design, it's reminiscent of classic Penguin titles from the 50s and 60s.

[cohencarpenter]

Modern day Olympic should be held in Athens every time. I think it would give it more historical significance and would also do well for Greek economy and would leave less abandoned stadiums across the globe.

[barbarawillis]

The ancient events sound very current. Nothing changes in human nature.