What was the requirement for athletes during the ancient Olympics?

During the ancient Olympics, one of the primary requirements was that athletes had to be male. The ancient games, which originated in Olympia, Greece around 776 BC, were exclusively for male competitors. Only freeborn Greek men were allowed to participate, which reflects the societal norms and values of that time period. This exclusivity extended to participation in the events as well as the attendance; women were generally prohibited from competing and, in many cases, were not allowed to be spectators either. Understanding this context highlights the historical significance of gender roles in ancient Greek society and the structure of the Olympic Games as they were originally conceived.