Everything about The Isthmian Games totally explained
The
Isthmian Games or
Isthmia (
ancient Greek Ἴσθμια) were one of the
Panhellenic Games of
Ancient Greece, and were named after the
isthmus of
Corinth, where they were held. As with the
Nemean Games, the Isthmian Games were held both the year before and the year after the
Olympic Games (the second and fourth years of an
Olympiad), while the
Pythian Games were held in the third year of the Olympiad cycle.
Origin
The Games were reputed to have originated as
funeral games for
Melicertes (also known as
Palaemon), instituted by
Sisyphus, legendary founder and king of
Corinth, who discovered the dead body and buried it subsequently on the
Isthmus. In Roman times, Melicertes was worshipped in the region.
Theseus, legendary king of
Athens, expanded Melicertes' funeral games from a closed nightly rite into fully-fledged athletic-games event which was dedicated to
Poseidon, open to all Greeks, and was at a suitable level of advancement and popularity to rival those in
Olympia, which were founded by
Herakles. Theseus arranged with the Corinthians for any Athenian visitors to the Isthmian games to be granted the privilege of front seats (
prohedria,
Ancient Greek προεδρία). Another version states that
Kypselos, tyrant of Corinth in the
7th century BC, returned to the Games their old splendour
(External Link
).
If we're to accept the traditional date of the first Olympic Games (
776 BC), we can say that the first Isthmian Games would have been held in
582 BC.
At least until the
5th century BC (
Pindar's time) the
winners of the Isthmian games received a wreath of celery; later, the wreath was altered such that it consisted of
pine leaves. Victors could also be honored with a statue or an
ode. Besides these prizes of honor, the city of Athens awarded victorious Athenians with an extra 100
drachmas.
History
From
228 BC or
229 BC onwards the Romans were allowed to take part in the games.
The Games of
196 BC were used by
Titus Quinctius Flamininus to proclaim the freedom of the Greek states from
Macedonian rule.
Since the games' inception, Corinth had always been in control of them. When
Corinth was destroyed by the
Romans in
146 BC, the Isthmian games continued, but were now administered by
Sicyon. Corinth was rebuilt by Caesar in
44 BC. Corinth recovered ownership of the Games at some point between
7 BC and
AD 3. The Isthmian Games thereafter flourished until
Theodosius I suppressed them as a
pagan ritual.
Contests
Comparable to the Olympic games. Among other competitions were:
- Chariot races
- Pankration
- Wrestling
- Musical and poetical contests, in which there's evidence women were allowed to compete.
Famous victors
In
216 BC: Cleitomachus of Thebes (won wrestling, boxing and pankration on the same day).
Isthmian truce
Before the games began, a truce was declared by Corinth to grant athletes safe passage through Greece. In
412 BC, even though Athens and Corinth were at war, the Athenians were invited to the games as usual.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Isthmian Games'.
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