RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS & ATHLETICS--the 'Big 4'



RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS & ATHLETICS--the "Big 4"

1. The "Big 4" festivals & the 'Panathenaia'

A. Olympics at Olympia (Zeus) 776 B.C. lst Olympiad

1. the Site: a. Sanctuary (temples, Altis) b. other buildings

2. the Games--:grew to 5-day festival in 472 B.C.

a. sacred truce b. contestants (professionals & circuit)

C. visitors/spectators--women ?--prob. "yes" d. prizes ?

3. the Events:

a. Running--4 types of races:

1) stade: = 200 meters 2) diaulos = 400 meters

3) "long one" = 1500 meters(+?) 4) hoplite (armed) 6th cen. B.C ('boys'competitions added slowly beg. 632 B.C. w/stade

b. Pentathlon = 5 events

1) 3 track & field: = discus, javelin, long jump

2) 200 meters (stade for pentathletes only)

3) wrestling (for pentathletes only)

c. Combative events: wrestling, boxing, Pankration -

d. Equestrian events: - in Hippodrome - 12 lengths?

1)single-rider 2) 2-horse chariot 3) 4-horse chariot (680 B.C.?)

B. Pythian* games at Delphi (Apollo) 582 B.C.= lst Pythians

* same events as Olympics + Musical contests

C. lsthmian games at Korinth (Poseidon) 580 B.C. began

D. **Nemean games at Nemea (Zeus) 573 B.C. began

**same events as Olys. + 800 meter "horsey" = running event

E. ***Panathenaic games at Athens (Athena) ca. 566 B.C.

*** same events as Olys. + "Torch race" [a relay?]

11. Women/Girls "Games"--(parthenol ) (little evidence-3 age groups)

A. Heraιa at Sparta (Hera); later at Olympia -Heraia -foot races only

-use stadium, but track 1/6 shorter length--(Paus.V.16.2-8)

B. Other "games"-inscriptions evidence beg. w/2nd cent. B.C. thru Roman era.

1. stade race

2. 2. chariot in armor race at Ιsthmia

3. kithara (music) (Sebasteia at Athens in 'boys' category)

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