In the history of the Olympic Games, in which year was the first ancient Olympiad traditionally held at Olympia in Greece?

Introduction / Context:
The Olympic Games are one of the most famous sporting traditions in the world. They began in ancient Greece and were later revived in modern times. Knowing when the first ancient Olympiad took place at Olympia helps students connect classical Greek history with the development of sport and international competition. This question asks for the traditional date given by historians for the first ancient Olympic Games.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on the first ancient Olympiad, not the modern Olympics.
• Options include 776 BC, 490 BC, 393 AD, and AD 1896.
• We assume knowledge that ancient and modern Olympics are separated by many centuries.
• The correct answer should match the widely accepted traditional date given by ancient Greek historians.

Concept / Approach:
Ancient Greek sources, and later historical tradition, state that the first recorded Olympic Games at Olympia took place in 776 BC. This date is often used as a reference point for the ancient Greek calendar and the counting of Olympiads. The year 490 BC is associated with the Battle of Marathon, not the origin of the Games. The year 393 AD is linked with the period when the Roman emperor Theodosius I is said to have ended the ancient Olympic Games. The year 1896 refers to the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens under the International Olympic Committee. Therefore, the date for the first ancient Olympiad is 776 BC.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Separate ancient Olympic history from modern Olympic history in your mind. Step 2: Recall that the first recorded ancient Olympic Games are traditionally dated to 776 BC. Step 3: Recognise that 490 BC is primarily remembered for the Battle of Marathon and other events in the Persian Wars. Step 4: Note that 393 AD is often associated with the abolition of the ancient Games, not their beginning, and that AD 1896 marks the start of the modern Olympics. Step 5: Choose 776 BC as the correct year for the first ancient Olympiad held at Olympia.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reference works on ancient Greece consistently list 776 BC as the date of the first Olympic Games, and they often use numbered Olympiads to organise historical timelines. When modern Olympic history is discussed, 1896 appears as the key year for the revival. The date 490 BC belongs to narratives about the Persian Wars, and 393 AD appears in discussions of the end of pagan festivals. This clear separation of dates across topics confirms that 776 BC is the correct answer for the origin of the ancient Games.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
490 BC, while an important year in Greek history, does not mark the beginning of the Olympic Games; the Games were already being held by then. The year 393 AD is associated with the suppression of the ancient Olympics, not with their start. AD 1896 marks the first modern Olympic Games in Athens and belongs to a different phase in Olympic history altogether. Therefore, options B, C, and D do not correctly answer the question about the first ancient Olympiad.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the origin of the Games with other famous events and dates in Greek history, or they might mix up the ancient and modern Olympics and choose 1896. Another pitfall is to think that the oldest date listed must be correct without checking its specific historical meaning. Remembering that ancient tradition points to 776 BC and that modern Games start in 1896 helps maintain a clear timeline and avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The first ancient Olympiad held at Olympia in Greece is traditionally dated to 776 BC.