The main purpose of the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece was to honor the god Zeus. Conducted in Olympia, these games were part of a religious festival and included various athletic competitions. Athletes from different city-states competed in events such as running, wrestling, and chariot racing, fostering a sense of unity among the often fragmented Greek polis. The Olympics celebrated physical prowess, competitive spirit, and facilitated cultural exchange, all while dedicating the event to divine favor with communal rituals and sacrifices to Zeus.