What prizes did winners of the ancient Olympic Games receive?

At the ancient Olympic Games, winners received palm branches and had red ribbons tied to their heads and hands. They also received olive tree wreaths on the last day of the games.

During the final ceremony, a herald proclaimed the winners' names from the vestibule at the temple of Zeus, and a Greek judge placed olive wreaths on their heads. The olive tree was a holy plant to the ancient Greeks. Victorious athletes were also awarded with money, tax breaks, theater tickets and free meals for life by wealthy city-states, such as Athens. In addition, sculptors often made statues of winners, and singers composed songs in their honor.