Reprojected image from an ancient Greek vase, hydria, depicting 3 athletes running. The Hydria was a vase invented to pour water as the name indicates, and has a large capacity. It looks like an amphora but it has a third long handle aside created to help pour water. The Ancient Olympics were religious and athletic festivals held every 4 years attracting competitors of many city states from across the Greek world. At the first Olympic Games in 776BCE there was just one event, the Stade, a 200 metre race. Typically the all male competitors performed naked. A Spartan runner named Acanthus was said to have set the fashion by appearing without the customary loincloth. It was said he realised that a naked man could run faster than one impeded by a loincloth.