In 1834, Sparta was re-established by Greece’s new king—Otto—and his court. A royal transplant from Germany, Otto wanted a city of wide boulevards and parks but you wouldn’t know it today.

The first Olympic Games took place here way back in 776BC; it’s where the town of Sparta is located, where Paris of Troy and Helen eloped from, and where you’ll find the Gates of Hades.

Yet, the Olympics then -- as now -- played a similar role in Greek society, from both a social and political standpoint. "They had a lot of prestige for the city-states that the Olympians competed in.

The flame will be carried from the ruined sports grounds of Ancient Olympia by a relay of torchbearers on an 11-day journey of more than 3,100 miles (5,000km) through Greece until it is handed ...

In a meticulously choreographed ceremony on Tuesday, the flame for this summer's Paris Olympics will be lit at the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games in southern Greece.

The Olympic flame was lit at the birthplace of the Games in Greece on Tuesday in a ceremony rich with ancient traditions that will launch a torch relay culminating in Paris on July 26.

FILE - Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, playing the role of the High Priestess, lights the torch during the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics ...

The flame that will burn at the Paris Olympics has been kindled at the site of the ancient games in Greece. During a ceremony, an actress dressed as an ancient Greek priestess was supposed to use the ...