Epinikion

A Epinikion (Pl. epinikia, Greek ἐπινίκιον ) was carried forward by a choir singing at a price winner in ancient Greece. It arose from Victory songs by armed conflict; since the late Archaic period were epinikia songs for winners in the major festivals ( Agonen ) of Greece such as the Olympic or Pythian games.

The first known Epinikion was 520 BC, written by Simonides of Ceos for Glaucus, winner at the Olympic Games. The most important poets of Pindar and Bacchylides epinikia were, many of which are songs of this type are obtained. However, it is unknown how the musical accompaniment of the songs was designed.

Epinikia were usually not listed at the site of the competition, but with the return of the winner in his homeland. They treated the person of the victor, mythological themes and ethical wisdom. For example, offers the fourth ode of Pindar a prize to the winner Arcesilaus IV, King of Cyrene, where he established the rule of the king with the journey of the Argonauts.