---
title: Ancient Stadium, Nemea, Greece
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/612/ancient-stadium-nemea-greece/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Ancient Stadium, Nemea, Greece
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/612.jpg)
## Image Caption
The Panhellenic Games of [Nemea](https://www.worldhistory.org/nemea/) were held every two years from 573 BCE to 271 BCE with a brief transferal to [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) between ca. 415BC and ca 330 BCE. Originally, they commemorated the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Opheltes. The [stadium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Stadium/) visible today dates from 330-320 BCE. The clay surface running track measured 600 ancient feet (178 m). The capacity could have been up to 30,000 but it is unlikely such a figure was ever reached. Spectators either sat on the grassy banks or on the two or three rows of stone seats. The judges (Hellanodikaion), dressed in mourning black, sat on a raised platform midway down the stadium. The line of stone starting blocks is still visible running across the track. Since 2004 CE there has been a revival of the games which are held every four years and are open to all.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- S.G. Miller. *Nemea: A Guide to the Site & Museum.* 2004
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, May 08). Ancient Stadium, Nemea, Greece. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Ancient Stadium, Nemea, Greece." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 08, 2012. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Ancient Stadium, Nemea, Greece." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 May 2012, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 08 May 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.