The Olympics originated in ancient Greece around the 8th century BC. The first recorded Olympic Games took place in Olympia in 776 BC, where athletic competitions were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus. These games were part of a religious festival and included a variety of sports, such as running, wrestling, and chariot racing. The ancient Olympics continued for nearly 12 centuries until they were abolished in 393 AD. The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin and have since grown into a global event celebrated every four years.