Watching the opening ceremonies from Athens, noted a reference to "the Olympic truce," which seemed a counterpoint to press stories detailing massive anti-terrorist security preparations.
Here's what the term meant to ancient Greeks:
"A truce (in Greek, ekecheiria, which literally means "holding of hands") was announced before and during each of the Olympic festivals, to allow visitors to travel safely to Olympia. An inscription describing the truce was written on a bronze discus which was displayed at Olympia. During the truce, wars were suspended, armies were prohibited from entering Elis or threatening the Games, and legal disputes and the carrying out of death penalties were forbidden."
You can find out more on the Perseus website.
