The Ludi Apollinares were solemn games ( ludi ) held annually by the ancient Romans in honor of the god Apollo . The tradition goes that at the first celebration hereof, they were suddenly invaded by the enemy, and obliged to take to their arms. A cloud of darts and arrows fell upon their enemies, and the Romans soon returned victorious to their sports.
12-630: The games were established after inspecting a collection of prophecies, the Carmina Marciana. One of several seers (vates) responsible for these predictions was Marcius. The games were organized in accordance with the Oracles of Marcius, which had predicted the disaster at Cannae (the defeat of the Romans by Hannibal) The prophecies dictated that the Romans should use Greek ritual to honor Diana and Latona, and that they should help contribute to
24-509: A category of Roman drama. Ennius (239–169 BC) had Thyestes performed as part of this festival in 169 BC. The Ludi Apollinares received less funding from the Roman government than other games/festivals such as the Ludi Romani or Ludi Plebeii , because it was shorter and had only one day of races. The Ludi Apollinares were games which were first organized in 212 BC, when C. Sulla
36-601: Is an ancient village of the Apulia region of south east Italy . It is a frazione (civil parish) of the comune (municipality) of Barletta . Cannae was formerly a bishopric , and is a Latin Catholic titular see (as of 2022). The commune of Cannae is situated near the river Ofanto (ancient names Aufdius or Canna ), on a hill on the right (i.e., south) bank, 9.6 kilometres (6 miles) southwest of its mouth, and 9 km southwest of Barletta . It
48-480: Is primarily known for the Battle of Cannae , in which the numerically superior Roman army suffered a disastrous defeat by Hannibal in 216 BC. There is a considerable controversy as to whether the battle took place on the right or the left bank of the river. In later times the place became a municipium , and the remains of an unimportant Roman town still exist upon the hill known as Monte di Canne . In
60-679: The Lombards under Melus of Bari . The Lombards had also hired some Norman cavalry mercenaries under their leader Gilbert Buatère , while Boioannes had a detachment of elite Varangian Guard sent to him at his request to combat the Normans. The engagement was one of the first clashes between the Byzantines of southern Italy and the Normans. The battle was disastrous for the Lombards, who were routed. Melus of Bari managed to escape to
72-475: The Middle Ages , probably after the destruction of Canosa di Puglia in the 9th century, it became a bishopric , and again saw military action in the second battle of Cannae , twelve centuries after the more famous one (1018). The Byzantine catapan , Basilios Bojoannes , successfully drove off the invading Lombard and Norman army. The town was wrecked in 1083 by Robert Guiscard , who left only
84-527: The Papal States and eventually to the court of Holy Roman Emperor Henry II at Bamberg . The Normans lost their leader, Gilbert Buatère, and most of their group. However, what remained of this group of Normans was the first of many to go to southern Italy . Within a year, a Norman garrison would be stationed at Troia in the pay of the Byzantine Empire. This article about a battle
96-464: The Senate to make them permanent, in honor of Apollo, who they regarded as a god of healing. From this day on, they were celebrated on 13 July and eventually grew to last 8 or 9 days. However, Livy suggests that it was C. Calpurnius Piso , not L. Varus, who made the games permanent as praetor in 211 BC. "The Games of Apollo had been exhibited the previous year, and when the question of their repetition
108-512: The cathedral and bishop's residence, and was ultimately destroyed in 1276. 41°17′47″N 16°09′06″E / 41.29639°N 16.15167°E / 41.29639; 16.15167 Battle of Cannae (1018) [REDACTED] Byzantine Empire Lombards The Battle of Cannae took place in 1018 between the Byzantines under the Catepan of Italy Basil Boioannes and
120-587: The costs of the games, according to their means. The Sibylline Books were also consulted and confirmed this prophecy. This occurred at the height of the Second Punic War , when Hannibal was invading northern Italy. As in other times, the games were used to allay the public’s fears and distract them from Hannibal’s invasion. The games were held in the Circus Maximus , with equestrian games as well as stage performances, including praetextae ,
132-499: The next year was moved by the praetor Calpurnius, the senate passed a decree that they should be observed for all time." He continues, “…Such is the origin of the Apollinarian Games, which were instituted for the cause of victory and not, as is generally thought, in the interests of the public health.” Cannae Cannae (now Canne della Battaglia , Italian pronunciation: [ˈkanne della batˈtaʎʎa] )
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#1732772619229144-415: Was praetor . Initially a vow was made to hold them only once. There is some discussion as to who officially made them annual games. One version of events proposes that L. Varus , the praetor urbanus at the time, renewed this vow and celebrated them again in 210 BC. They were made an annual festival by a law in 208 BC by L. Varus, who was then curule aedile . A severe plague in 208 BC may have prompted
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