Isthmian Games in Ancient Greece: Myths and Real History

The Olympic Games and their history are well known. But in ancient Greece, they were far from the only sports competitions. There were also Pythian, Delphic, Nemean, Likey, and also Isthmian games, now almost completely forgotten.

Where games were held

The territory of Greece in the era of Antiquity was a set of independent states, competing with each other. The rivalry concerned not only the military and economic spheres, but also the field of culture. Each more or less strong state strove to conduct bright, spectacular festivals dedicated to local patron gods. These festivals, as a rule, were accompanied by sports competitions, and sometimes, like, for example, in Delphi, also competitions of musicians and poets.

Isthmian games took place in Corinth - one of the strong and developed states of Antiquity. The meeting place was a narrow jumper between the Peloponnese peninsula and the mainland. This isthmus in ancient times was called Isthmus (now the Isthmus of Corinth).

The competition was held every two years near the temple of Poseidon - the patron of Corinth. From this it is clear to what god the Isthmian games were dedicated.

Legends and Myths of Isthmian Games

Despite the fact that the Olympic Games in the era of Antiquity enjoyed greater popularity, many myths were associated with the Isthmian ones.

According to one version, the beginning of these games was laid by Poseidon himself, who argued with Helios for the right to patronize the lands of Corinth and Argos. As a result, the god of the seas lost the dispute, and only Isthm remained in his power. But in order to compensate for his defeat, Poseidon held equestrian competitions, as, as is known, this god usually drove around in his chariot. Since then, Isthmian games have always included this type of competition in the program.

In another myth, it is told that sports competitions on Isthma were revived by Sisyphus, the founding king of the Isthmian Games. He did this in honor of the miraculous salvation of his young nephew, to the aid of which Poseidon came.

There is also another version according to which Theseus is considered the founder of these games. One of his feats was the victory over the robber Skyrone, whom he threw into the sea. The robber was the son of Poseidon, and Theseus, as an expiatory sacrifice, organized sports competitions.

Real story

Isthmian games in Ancient Greece received the status of a national holiday during the reign of the Corinthian king Periandra, presumably in 582 BC. E. The second "curator" of these competitions was the state of Argos, although later they began to organize their own games.

Representatives of other regions of Ancient Greece were also eligible to attend the Ismian Games, except for the Eleatic organizers of the Olympic Games. They once disrespected the young Periandra, and because of this, they were not allowed to visit Isthm.

Corinth was a rich state, so the games were held on a grand scale. Winners of the competition, except for a wreath of ivy and pine branches, received valuable prizes, established by other policies, for example, Athens. Such a "commercialization" of the competition was condemned by many, because the games were considered sacred, and athletes who gathered from all over Greece sometimes even forgot what god was dedicated to the Isthmian games.

Nevertheless, the competitions were popular even during the Peloponnesian War and after the destruction of Corinth.

Sports program

The central place in the games was occupied by chariot races, in which four horses were harnessed, in memory of the competitions held by Poseidon himself. Horse races were also held, although they were not so popular in ancient Greece.

From athletic competitions can be called running, pugilism, wrestling and pankration - an analogue of the modern battle without rules. There were different age categories in which athletes could perform: boys, boys and men.

The winner was given a palm branch, a wreath and often a considerable monetary or valuable prize, established by the participating states.

Among the winners of the Isthmian games were mythical characters. For example, Castor became the winner in the race, his twin brother Polidek - in a fist fight, and in the pancration of all rivals Hercules overcame.

Competition musicians and poets

The Isthmian games in Ancient Greece also included competitions of flutists and kifarids - masters of the game on the popular musical instrument in the era of Antiquity - kifar.

Along with musicians, poets also performed, not only the quality of the poems themselves, but also the artistic talent of their performer. According to legend, once in the competitions of the kifarids, even Orpheus himself participated and, of course, became the winner.

The competitions that lasted several days ended with rewarding and honoring the winner, who received a wreath of ivy and pine branches (later - celery) and a palm branch. Although poetic and musical competitions were no less popular than sports, but valuable prizes to their winners were not supposed, at least anywhere in historical sources there is no mention of them.

The decline of the Isthmian games is connected with the spread of Roman rule and general enthusiasm for gladiatorial fights. The last mention of them refers to the IV century of our era.