Page "Panathenaic Games" Paragraph 1

The games were part of a much larger religious festival, the Panathenaea, which was held every year.

Every fourth year when the games were also held, the festival was known as the " Great Panathenaia ," and was 3 or 4 days longer than the regular festival.

They were the most prestigious games for the citizens of Athens, but they were not as important as the Olympic Games or the other Panhellenic Games.