The Pythian Games
The Pythian Games were held in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, and
celebrated the god's victory over the monster Python. The Pythian Games were
originally an artistic, rather than an athletic celebration. Contests
included singing, lyre playing, flute playing, and dramatic performances.
After the First Sacred War, Delphi was liberated from the control of the
city-state of Krisa by the Amphyctionic League. The Amphyctions then
reorganized the festival and added athletic contests to the program of the
festival. These games were the same as at Olympia, with the exception of the
four-horse chariot race and the boys' competitions. As at Olympia, victors
were not given monetary prizes. At Delphi they were given a wreath of laurel
or bay leaves.
The Isthmian Games
The Isthmian games were held in the sanctuary of Poseidon at Isthmia. They
probably began as a celebration of the new order of Corinth after the demise
of the Kypselid tyranny. They were thought to have been originated by the
mythical Corinthian king Sisyphos or the mythical Athenian king Theseus as
funeral games for the hero Melikertes. As at Olympia, this festival was
primarily athletic in nature. However, later musical and dramatic
competitions were added. The Isthmian Games were controlled throughout their
history by the city-state of Corinth. Victors in the Isthmian Games were
given a wreath of pine, and later one of wild celery.
The Nemean Games
The Nemean Games were held in the sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea. As at Olympia,
two foundation myths are told to explain the origin of the games. The first
is that Herakles established the games after disposing of the Nemean lion.
The second is that they were begun as the funeral games of the child
Opheltes. Originally, the games were controlled by the city-state of
Kleonai, but they were later taken over by Argos. As at Olympia, this
festival was primarily athletic in nature. Victors in the Nemean games were
given a wreath of wild celery.
Other Panhellenic Games
Other athletic festivals not on the periodos attracted competitors from all
over the Greek world. Among these were the Delian Games on the Cycladic
island of Delos, and the Panathenaic Games in the city-state of Athens.
However, while victory in these competitions still held honor, the four
major Panhellenic Games carried much more prestige.
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