In time, four such festivals ​ — the Olympic and the Nemean, both dedicated to Zeus, and the Pythian and the Isthmian, dedicated to Apollo and Poseidon respectively — ​ grew in importance until they attained the status of Panhellenic festivals. That is, they were open to contestants from all over the Greek world. The festivals featured sacrifice and prayer and also honored the gods by superlative athletic or artistic competitions.
या उत्सवांमध्ये बली चढवले जात व पूजा होत असे तसेच उत्तम खेळांद्वारे किंवा कलात्मक प्रदर्शनांद्वारेही देवदेवतांचा सन्मान केला जात असे.