<p class="ql-block">Touring Ancient Olympia Town</p><p class="ql-block">It was a rainy day. The kind where nothing looks picturesque, whether you enjoy rain or not. Yet, the ancient site of Olympia stood out, astounding in its sheer scale.</p><p class="ql-block">Construction of the site began around 300 BC, with additions continuing through 400 AD. Tragically, an earthquake in 600 AD destroyed most of the structures, leaving behind ruins that still echo the grandeur of the past.</p><p class="ql-block">For comparison, this remarkable public facility, built during the same era as China’s 春秋戰(zhàn)國時代, would have been unimaginable in our own ancient history.</p><p class="ql-block">To compete in the ancient Olympics, athletes had to be free men—not slaves, who were predominantly prisoners of war. The Olympics had a comprehensive system in place, much like modern-day games: athlete registration, resting areas, referees for events, announcements of results, and even measures to punish cheaters.</p><p class="ql-block">Winners received crowns made from olive branches, along with fame and reduced taxes. </p><p class="ql-block">Although the Olympics originated with the Greeks, Romans and Macedonians later joined and made contributions to its development. Notably, Alexander the Great, a Macedonian, participated in the games four times. It was here that he met his wife, Olypianos. His success at the Olympics helped elevate his fame, eventually leading him to become the leader of the Greek military forces, which went on to conquer Persia.</p><p class="ql-block">Reflecting on Chinese history, the emperors believed that all land belonged solely to the ruler (“普天之下 莫非王土”), leaving nothing for the people. Unlike Olympia, I’ve never seen any significant infrastructure from ancient China that was built by the people and for the people.</p><p class="ql-block">The core value of Olympia is for individuals to compete based on physical strength rather than wealth or social standing. This was in stark contrast to China during the 春秋戰(zhàn)國時代，where Confucius emphasized, “學而優(yōu)則仕” (“academic excellence leads to positions of power”). While Confucian ideals championed scholars and governance, the Greeks celebrated the rights and achievements of the people themselves.</p>