Pythian Games

The Pythian Games (Greek Πύθια Pythia ) or Pythia, also Delphic Games were competitions, which were celebrated in Ancient Greece and Delphi in the near plane of Krissa in honor of the Pythian Apollo. They were among the Panhellenic Games. According to the myth Apollo is said to have used them after slaying the dragon Python itself. Smaller Pythian were celebrated in many other cities of Asia Minor and Greece.

History

The historical time of the Pythian Games began in 586 BC, when the management of the Games after the end of the Holy War on the Delphic amphictyony, a council of twelve Greek tribes, passed. Since then, they are no longer found as by then all eight, but every four years, two years before the Olympics, probably at the end of August.

Initially, there was at the Pythian games only musical competitions, first singing to the kithara, later expanded by singing to the flute and solo flute. This kept here also more important than for the other major festivals, although the gymnastic competitions and the cars and riders race entrance had found with the redesign of the Pythia in them.

Was the sacred Delphic peace that lasted for three months For the time of the Delphic Games. The truce guaranteed the people - participants and spectators - a safe passage to the Games and return to their homeland. Reported is the enthusiasm of the audience. Numerous they flocked from all over Greece and brought the city considerable revenue. The Agora, an art market, which took place at the Games, was an important trading center for art goods.

394 AD forbade Theodosius I, Emperor of Rome and Byzantium, the Delphic Games as a pagan event.

Expiration

Unfortunately, time certificates and documents about the ancient Delphic Games were largely destroyed by human violence and natural disasters. However, all extant sources emphasize the grandeur and splendor of the games. The records of Aristotle give an overview of the festivities: The game lasted six to eight days and began with a sacred game that represented the victory of Apollo over Python. In a solemn and splendid procession a great festival sacrifice was made in the temple of Apollo. After a feast began on the fourth day of the games.

The music and drama competitions were in the theater, the athletic contests in the stadium of Delphi instead. The chariot races were held in the near plane of Krissa due to the mountainous conditions of Delphi.

The arts disciplines included:

• A hymn to the god Apollo
• Flute and Kitharaspiel ( old Greek stringed instrument ) with and without vocals
• Drama and dance competitions
• Painting competitions

The Delphic Games were games of honor. The winners received no monetary prize, but a crown of laurel leaves, such as the olive branch was the award Olympias. Also apples seem to have been sometimes presented as predatory pricing and the symbolic palm branch was the winner of the Pythian, as with the Olympien. For special honors you put the competitor is also a memorial in the form of a statue. The reputation, however, which was bestowed to the winner and his home was priceless. The cities supported their representatives therefore by all means to cut off as much as possible at the games.