Ancient greek pythian games

Information regarding the Pythian Games is scarcer than for other Panhellenic festivals. As such, there is no extant information regarding requirements for competitors. However, it is very likely the restrictions matched those of the other Panhellenic games, in that only Greek-born men could participate in the athletic events.

Following this pattern, it is likely that Roman men were allowed to participate beginning in the 3rd or 2nd century BC.

They were likely included in the musical and poetic contests, much like the Nemean and Isthmian Games. Only women were allowed to compete in the Heraean Games , however. It consisted of 35 rows and could seat around spectators. The auditorium and paved orchestra still survive, but only the foundations remain of the stage buildings. It has been deduced from unskillful reliefs of the labours of Hercules that local artisans constructed the first century BC additions to the stage area.

Archaeologists have also learned that the scene and proscenium , which formed a backdrop to the stage, would not have been very high — to avoid impairing the spectacular views of the dramatic scenery of Delphi.

Routledge: London and New York. Konstantinou, I K, Athens: Hannibal. Guild publishing: London. You must be logged in to post a comment. August 15, August 21, Natasha Sheldon. Situated below the temenos of Apollo, the gymnasium and Palaestra are situated close to the temple of Athena Pronaia. The remains on site today date to the fourth century BC. The facilities were used by locals and athletes in training. The complex is spread across two terraces.

On the upper terrace were two practice running tracks. The indoor track or xystos had a roofed colonnade to protect athletes from the elements. Next door was an open air paradromis. Below on the lower terrace was the palaestra which was used for wrestling and the changing areas for the athletes — dressing rooms and a large round pool for bathing. Prizes for the victors of the Pythian Games were similar to those at Olympia and included gold tripods and crowns of laurel leaves, which were sacred to Apollo.

In turn, the winners showed gratitude for their victories by dedicating offerings in the sacred temenos. Many remaining offerings are preserved in the museum of Delphi. Perhaps the most elaborate and well known is the charioteer of Delphi. Dedicated by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela in Sicily, it is the only figure to survive from a larger piece which featured 4 horses and a groom. Dating to the fifth century BC — the early classical period, the charioteer was made by wax casting- then a new technique that gave statues a more lifelike pose.

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