Truce during the games

Before the beginning of the Olympic festival, all Greek cities suspended hostilities for a prescribed period. Greeks called this truce "ekecheiria", that is, the holding of hands and the break of hostilities.

The institution of truce was first issued by the sacred treaty held among 3 kings, Iphitos of Elis, Kleosthenes of Pisa and Lykourgos of Sparta. Originally it lasted for one month, but later was extended to a 3-month period.

Thanks to this institution, the Olympic Games gained great fame among the cities of the Greek world. All athletes, city officials, poets and musicians could travel to Olympia safetly. The area of Elis, where Olympia belonged, experienced great prosperity and population increases.

The terms of the truce were:

All hostilities ceased, whereas the state of the Eleans was declared neutral and accessible. Athletes and visitors whose state was at war could also travel safely through hostile territories.
Arms and armies were not allowed to enter Elis.
During the duration of the truce no death penalty could take place.