Poems and texts on the olympic games

Poems and Texts on the Olympic Games

Texts were about  Winning  Diet  Winners

Winning ď‚— There were no team sports (unlike modern athletic events). In martial

sports, there could only be one winner - no second or third prize were allowed. Glory was key and winning was the only goal.

Antiphon Tetralogy 2.3.6 He believed that the danger from the indictment was not less but greater than this one here, as I will prove to you. Let us accept that he had the same expectations of being convicted or acquitted in both lawsuits. He had no hope of the indictment being brought before the court while his opponent was still alive. For the latter would not have obeyed him. But he did not expect to get to the present trial either; for he thought he could kill his opponent without being found out.

Pindar Isthmian 4.45-49 For he is similar to the spirit of loud-roaring lions in boldness as he labours, and in skill he is like a fox who, stretching out, restrains the eagle's swoop. One must do anything to render the opponent powerless.

Food ď‚— These are the texts on the diet of the athletes, giving specific

instructions about which foods should be preferred or avoided including warnings against drunkenness and other excesses. The idea of asceticism and abstinence while engaged in training and competition is prominent.

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 1106b If we say that ten mnae of food is a lot, and two is not enough, the trainer will not prescribe six mnae: for this portion might be much or not enough for the person receiving it. For to Milon it would not be enough, but to a person just starting his training it would be a lot.

There were also praizes for the winner. We found them in these texts.

Pausanias 6.7.4, reference to Olympic Winners Dorieus, son of Diagoras, apart from his Olympic victories, he won eight victories at the Isthmian Games, and seven at the Nemean Games. It is also said that he had won a Pythian victory without effort.

Extracts from Victory Odes praising victorious athletes: Pindar, Olympian 1.8-17 From there the excellent hymn is cast like a net over the wisdom of poeta, so that they sing of the son of Cronus when they arrive at the wealthy, blessed hearth of Hieron, who sways the sceptre of law in Sicily with many flocks, reaping the best part of every excellence, and is adorned with the flower of music, which we men often play around his hospitable table.

Unknown poem (contemporary) The Olympic Games The Olympic Games The Games of Life Not about trouble Not about strife It’s not the winning, It’s the taking part, It’s all about What’s true to heart It’s not the loosing, It’s all nations uniting It’s not about war but peace inviting Not about trouble Not about strife Just the Olympics The Games of life.