The Roman Empire conquered Ancient Greece around 100 B.C. The games soon lost their religious meaning because the Roman Emperor, Theodosius, offered money to the winners. When people were playing to please the gods, it did not matter if they won or lost. But now that they could win money, they would do anything to win. They would cheat and not follow the rules. Theodosius ordered the games to be ended because of the great decline in quality. No Olympics were held for many centuries afterward.