What would happen to the Ancient Olympic champion after they won their event and went back home?
For starters they could be assured of great wealth when they returned home. Roman historian Plutarch recorded an Olympic victor who was a citizen of Athens could expect to receive 500 drachmai (Greek currency) a fortune. A Ismian victor would receive 100 drachmai. It was also recorded a free meal every day was given to the athletes that where victorious in the Ancient Olympics for the rest of their lives. Later in the Hellenistic and Roman , pensions for athletes became more formalized and could be bought and sold. Other athletic prizes included bronze tripods, shields, woolen cloaks and olive oil. The victorious athletes also had sculptures commissioned in their honor in the sanctuary of their home town. If an athlete won 3 Olympics he could even have a statue bearing his likeness put in the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia. Sometime rich political leaders would commission a poet to write a poem to commemorate an athlete or equestrian victory.
