From a very remote period, the Greeks had been accustomed to engage in contests of strength and agility during their times of festivity, and also at the funerals of distinguised persons. Iphitus conceived the idea of establishing a periodical festival in his own dominions, for the celebration of these ancient games, and of religious rites in honor of Jupiter and Hercules; and, having obtained the authority of the Delphinian oracle for carrying his design into execution, he instituted the festival, and appointed that it should be repeated every fourth year, at Olympia, a town of Elis. - Goodrich, 1844