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.
Belakangan, empat festival semacam itu ​ — Olimpiade dan Nemea, kedua - duanya dibaktikan kepada Zeus, sedangkan Pitia dan Tanah Genting Korintus, masing - masing dibaktikan kepada Apolo dan Poseidon — menjadi semakin penting sampai mereka mencapai status festival Panhelenik, yakni festival - festival yang terbuka bagi para peserta dari seluruh penjuru wilayah kekuasaan Yunani.