Misplaced Pages

#396603

48-664: The Pythian Games were ranked second in importance behind the Olympics. Unlike the Olympics, the Pythian Games also featured competitions for art and dance, which pre-dated the athletic portion of the games, and women were allowed to take part in some events. Victors received a wreath of bay laurel , sacred to Apollo, from the Vale of Tempe , in Thessaly . Smaller versions of the Pythian Games were celebrated in many other cities of

96-675: A triumph . The emperors in the Julio-Claudian dynasty all sourced their Laurel wreaths from the original tree planted by Livia. It was taken as an omen of the impending end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty that in the reign of Nero the entire grove died, shortly before he was assassinated. Rome's second Emperor Tiberius wore wreaths of laurel whenever there was stormy weather because it was widely believed that Laurel trees were immune to lightning strikes, affording protection to those who brandished it. One reason for this belief

144-510: A chariot drawn by four horses, and racing with a horse (without a chariot), held in a hippodrome in the plain of Krisa, not far from the sea, in the place where the original stadium was sited. (ref: Pindar ) The other athletic contests took place in the Stadium. In the Roman period theatrical competitions were introduced, carried out in the late- Hellenistic theater . Pausanias writing in

192-442: A leaf. The leaves are glabrous, 6–12 cm (2–5 in) long and 2–4 cm ( 3 ⁄ 4 – 1 + 5 ⁄ 8  in) broad, with an entire (untoothed) margin. On some leaves the margin undulates. The fruit is a small, shiny black drupe-like berry about 1 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8  in) long that contains one seed. Laurus nobilis is a widespread relict of the laurel forests that originally covered much of

240-435: A list of the winners as follows: In 498 B.C. Hippokles from Thessaly won at the children's diaulos (10th Pythionicus). In 490 B.C. Midas from Akragas won at the musical contests as a flute player (12th Pythionicus). In 486 B.C. Megakles from Athens won at the chariot racing (7th Pythionicus). In 475 (?) and in 474(?) B.C. Hieron of Syracuse won the chariot racing (2nd Pythionicus). In 474 Thrasydaeus from Thebes won at

288-402: A priestess of Gaia (Mother Earth), and when he tried to seduce her she pleaded for help to Gaia, who transported her to Crete . In Daphne's place Gaia left a laurel tree, from which Apollo fashioned wreaths to console himself. Other versions of the myth, including that of the Roman poet Ovid , state that Daphne was transformed directly into a laurel tree. Bay laurel was used to fashion

336-638: A ritual sacrifice was performed in the Temple of Apollo . After four days of festivities, the Games began. The athletic and equestrian events were the same as those at Olympia, apart from the lack of the four-horse chariot, and the addition of running races for boys. Unlike at Olympia where there was a separate festival for women (the Heraean Games ), women were allowed to compete at Delphi in both athletic and artistic events. The only recorded female victor

384-452: A simple garnish . Whole bay leaves have a long shelf life of about one year, under normal temperature and humidity. Whole bay leaves are used almost exclusively as flavor agents during the food preparation stage. Ground bay leaves, however, can be ingested safely and are often used in soups and stocks , as well as being a common addition to a Bloody Mary . Dried laurel berries and pressed leaf oil can both be used as robust spices, and

432-410: A trumpet blow, with officials (the ἀγωνοθέται agonothetai ) at the start to make sure there were no false starts. There were also officials at the end to decide on a winner and to make sure no one had cheated. If the officials decided there was a tie, the race would be re-run. Runners started the race from a standing position, probably with their arms stretched out in front of them, instead of starting in

480-490: Is Tryphosa, winner of the girl's stadion running race . The athletic competition included four-track sports ( stade , diaulos , dolichos and hoplitodromos (racing encumbered with pieces of Hoplite armor)), wrestling , boxing , pankration , and the pentathlon . These sports were introduced to the games gradually over time. The final day of the games was dedicated to equestrian races which gradually came to include harness racing, synoris (a chariot drawn by two horses),

528-490: Is a poultice soaked in boiled bay leaves. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder listed a variety of conditions which laurel oil was supposed to treat: paralysis, spasms, sciatica , bruises, headaches, catarrhs , ear infections, and rheumatism. In Greek , the plant is called δάφνη dáphnē , after the mythic mountain nymph of the same name . In the myth of Apollo and Daphne , the god Apollo fell in love with Daphne,

SECTION 10

#1732766228397

576-423: Is also the source of the words baccalaureate and poet laureate , as well as the expressions "assume the laurel" and "resting on one's laurels". Pliny the Elder stated that the laurel was not permitted for "profane" uses – lighting it on fire at altars "for the propitiation of divinities" was strictly forbidden, because "it is very evident that the laurel protests against such usage by crackling as it does in

624-436: Is an evergreen shrub or small tree , variable in size and sometimes reaching 7–18 m (23–59 ft) tall. The genus Laurus includes three accepted species, whose diagnostic key characters often overlap. The bay laurel is dioecious ( unisexual ), with male and female flowers on separate plants. Each flower is pale yellow-green, about 1 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8  in) diameter, and they are borne in pairs beside

672-688: Is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous (smooth) leaves. It is in the flowering plant family Lauraceae . It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. Its common names include bay tree (esp. United Kingdom), bay laurel , sweet bay , true laurel , Grecian laurel , or simply laurel . Laurus nobilis figures prominently in classical Greco-Roman culture. Worldwide, many other kinds of plants in diverse families are also called "bay" or "laurel", generally due to similarity of foliage or aroma to Laurus nobilis . The laurel

720-460: Is because laurel crackles loudly when on fire. It led ancient Romans to believe the plant was inhabited by a "heavenly fire demon ", and was therefore "immune" from outer threats like fire or lightning. In modern Italy, laurel wreaths are worn as a crown by graduating school students. An early Chinese etiological myth for the phases of the moon involved a great forest or tree which quickly grew and lost its leaves and flowers every month. After

768-469: The Levant and Greece. The Pythian Games supposedly start with the death of the mythical serpent, Python . Ovid states that the games were inaugurated to celebrate Apollo 's killing of the serpent, "Lest in a dark oblivion time should hide the fame of this achievement, sacred sports he instituted" ( Metamorphoses, 1.445-6). According to Ovid, the python was produced spontaneously by Gaea (mother earth) at

816-637: The Mediterranean Basin when the climate of the region was more humid. With the drying of the Mediterranean during the Pliocene era, the laurel forests gradually retreated, and were replaced by the more drought-tolerant sclerophyll plant communities familiar today. Most of the last remaining laurel forests around the Mediterranean are believed to have disappeared approximately ten thousand years ago, although some remnants still persist in

864-737: The Mid-Autumn Festival . However, in English, it is often associated with the more well-known cassia ( Cinnamomum cassia , now known in Chinese as the 肉桂 or "meat gui ") while, in modern Chinese, it has instead become associated with the Mediterranean laurel. By the Qing dynasty , the chengyu "pluck osmanthus in the Toad Palace" ( 蟾宫折桂 , Chángōng zhé guì ) meant passing the imperial examinations , which were held around

912-468: The Sui and Tang dynasties , this was sometimes connected to a woodsman named Wu Gang , sentenced to cut at a self-repairing tree as a punishment for varying offenses. The tree was originally identified as a 桂 ( guì ) and described in the terms of the osmanthus ( Osmanthus fragrans , now known in Chinese as the 桂花 or " gui flower"), whose blossoms are still used to flavor wine and confections for

960-552: The laurel wreath of ancient Greece , a symbol of highest status. A wreath of bay laurels was given as the prize at the Pythian Games because the games were in honor of Apollo, and the laurel was one of his symbols. According to the poet Lucian , the priestess of Apollo known as the Pythia reputedly chewed laurel leaves from a sacred tree growing inside the temple to induce the enthusiasmos (trance) from which she uttered

1008-560: The 2nd century AD, says the oldest contest at Delphi was the singing of the Hymn to Apollo , god of arts and music. The first Games run by the Delphic Amphictyony , which he dates to the third year of the forty-eighth Olympiad (i.e. 586  BC) featured contests of singing accompanied by cithara (a lyre), and separate contests for playing the aulos (a double-reeded wind instrument) solo, and accompanied. The latter of these

SECTION 20

#1732766228397

1056-511: The Civil Wars and his close association with Apollo. Suetonius relates the story of Augustus' wife, and Rome's first Empress, Livia , who planted a sprig of laurel on the grounds of her villa at Prima Porta after an eagle dropped a hen with the sprig clutched in its beak onto her lap. The sprig grew into a full-size tree which fostered an entire grove of laurel trees, which were in turn added to by subsequent Emperors when they celebrated

1104-404: The Pythian Games. A panel of judges chose victors. Contests of Tragic acting probably involved both individual performances and dramatic productions. Painting competitions were introduced in the mid-5th century BC. No monetary prizes were awarded to winners in the Games. Instead they received a wreath of bay laurel , sacred to Apollo, from the Vale of Tempe , in Thessaly . This is similar to

1152-413: The beginning of primordial time and was a threat to human beings. When Earth, spread over with diluvian ooze, felt heat ethereal from the glowing sun, unnumbered species to the light she gave, and gave to being many an ancient form, or monster new created. Unwilling she created this enormous Python.—Thou unheard of serpent spread so far athwart the side of a vast mountain, didst fill with fear

1200-401: The body, Apollo founded the oracle of Delphi . However, by slaying Python, Apollo had committed a crime and Zeus declared that he had to make amends. Apollo then created the Pythian Games to pay for the death. The historical timeframe of the Pythian Games started in 582 BC, when the administration of the Games was handed over to the Delphic Amphictyony , a council of twelve Greek tribes, at

1248-515: The children's stadium (11th Pythionicus) and Telesikrates from Cyrene won at the armed race (9th Pythionicus). In 470 B.C. Hieron from Aetna won at the chariot racing (1st Pythinicus). Finally, in 462/1 B.C. Arkesilaus from Cyrene won at the chariot racing (4th and 5th Pythionikoi). 38°28′57.60″N 22°29′52.97″E  /  38.4826667°N 22.4980472°E  / 38.4826667; 22.4980472 Bay laurel Laurus nobilis / ˈ l ɔːr ə s ˈ n ɒ b ɪ l ɪ s /

1296-452: The conservative aristocracy of Aegina , constituted the clientele of the poet. Thus, his Odes of Victory reflect the aristocratic ideals which were losing ground so fast. The winner's laudation is reinforced by adding mythological details. However, a prerequisite for understanding and cherishing the poems is a well-educated audience. The poet uses his work not only to speak of the victory won by his client and his family, but also to accentuate

1344-496: The desired height. Together with a gold form, L. nobilis 'Aurea' and a willow-leaved form L. nobilis f. angustifolia , it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit . One of the most important pests affecting ornamental laurels is caused by the jumping plant louse Trioza alacris , which induces the curling and thickening of the edge of the leaves for the development of

1392-558: The end of the First Sacred War . As of that time, they did not take place every eight years as in the past, but every four years, two years before and after the Olympic Games, presumably at the end of August. Preparations for the games began six months prior. Nine citizens from Delphi, called theoroi , were sent to all Greek cities to announce the beginning of the games in order to attract athletes, as well as to declare

1440-583: The family – a father and a son – acquired both town rights and the status of staple town for the village at the time. The most abundant component found in laurel essential oil is 1,8-cineole , also called eucalyptol. The leaves contain about 1.3% essential oils ( ol. lauri folii ), consisting of 45% eucalyptol , 12% other terpenes , 8–12% terpinyl acetate , 3–4% sesquiterpenes , 3% methyleugenol , and other α- and β- pinenes , phellandrene , linalool , geraniol , and terpineol . It contains lauric acid also. Both essential and fatty oils are present in

1488-626: The family's history and its connections all over Greece. The total number of Victory Odes is 45 celebrating the winners in the four most famous panhellenic athletic competitions: the Olympic , the Nemean , the Pythian and the Isthmian Games . The hymns celebrating victories in Pythian Games include 12 odes and offer information on the exact competition of each athlete. Thus, we can constitute

Pythian Games - Misplaced Pages Continue

1536-600: The fire, thus, in a manner, giving expression to its abhorrence of such treatment". Laurel was closely associated with the Roman Emperors, beginning with Augustus . Two Laurel trees flanked the entrance to Augustus' house on the Palatine Hill in Rome, which itself was connected to the Temple of Apollo Palatinus , which Augustus had built. Thus, the laurels had the dual purpose of advertising Augustus' victory in

1584-436: The fruit. The fruit is pressed and water-extracted to obtain these products. The fruit contains up to 30% fatty oils and about 1% essential oils (terpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols , and ketones ). This laurel oil is the characteristic ingredient of Aleppo soap . The chemical compound lauroside B has been isolated from Laurus nobilis . Stadion (running race) Stadion or stade ( Ancient Greek : στάδιον )

1632-552: The games, which included restorations for all structures of the Sanctuary, from the temples to the streets and fountains. Scores of people flocked to the games from all over Greece, bringing in substantial revenue to the city. Despite the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire during the 4th century, Delphi remained an active pagan site and the Pythian Games continued to be celebrated at least until AD 424. Unfortunately,

1680-402: The insect's nymphs , eventually creating a necrosed gall . The species is also affected by the scale insect Coccus hesperidum . In herbal medicine , aqueous extracts of bay laurel have been used as an astringent and salve for open wounds. It is also used in massage therapy and aromatherapy . A folk remedy for rashes caused by poison ivy , poison oak , and stinging nettle

1728-477: The most prestigious; the winner was often considered to be the winner of an entire Games. Though a separate event, the stadion was also part of the ancient Pentathlon . At the Olympic Games, the stadion (building) was big enough for 20 competitors, and the race was a 200 yd (180 m) sprint, but the original stadion track in Olympia measures approximately 210 yd (190 m). The race began with

1776-590: The mountains of southern Turkey , northern Syria , southern Spain , north-central Portugal , northern Morocco , the Canary Islands and in Madeira . The plant is the source of several popular herbs and one spice used in a wide variety of recipes, particularly among Mediterranean cuisines. Most commonly, the aromatic leaves are added whole to Italian pasta sauces. They are typically removed from dishes before serving, although they may also be used as

1824-534: The oracular prophecies for which she was famous. Some accounts starting in the fourth century BC describe her as shaking a laurel branch while delivering her prophecies. Those who received promising omens from the Pythia were crowned with laurel wreaths as a symbol of Apollo's favor. The symbolism carried over to Roman culture , which held the laurel as a symbol of victory. It was also associated with immortality, with ritual purification, prosperity and health. It

1872-596: The period of the Sacred Truce ( Hieromenia ), aiming at protecting not only the theoroi and the athletes who traveled to Delphi but also the temple of Apollo itself. If a city was involved in armed conflict or in robberies during that period, its citizens were forbidden to enter the Sanctuary, participate in the games, or consult the Oracle. At the same time, the truce allowed the Amphictyony to focus on preparing for

1920-559: The practice in the other Panhellenic games, which were all on this account called "stephanitic" ("crown") games. Smaller versions of the Pythian Games were celebrated in many other cities of the Levant and Greece. Of the 45 poems composed by the Theban poet Pindar in honor of winners at the Panhellenic games, 12 were called Pythionikoi , since they were composed for winners at the Pythian Games. In those poems, Pindar praises not only

1968-419: The race of newly created man. The God that bears the bow (a weapon used till then only to hunt the deer and agile goat) destroyed the monster with myriad darts, and almost emptied all his quiver, till envenomed gore oozed forth from livid wounds. -- Metamorphoses, 1.434-444. By killing the monster, Apollo rendered the area safe for human beings and established his ownship of the site. After burying

Pythian Games - Misplaced Pages Continue

2016-414: The testimonials and documents covering the Pythian Games were mainly destroyed by human violence and natural catastrophes. All the remaining resources highlight the glory and glamour of the Games. The records of Aristotle present an overview of the festivities: the Games lasted for six to eight days and were started by a reenactment of the victory of Apollo over Python. In a festive and glamorous procession,

2064-464: The time of the lunar festival. The similar association in Europe of laurels with victory and success led to its translation into Chinese as the 月桂 or "Moon gui ". The laurel leaves in the coat of arms of Kaskinen , Finland ( Swedish : Kaskö ) may have been meant to refer to local flowering, but its origin may also be in the name of the family Bladh ( Swedish : blad ; 'leaf'); two members of

2112-465: The victors, but also their families, as well as the aristocratic and athletic ideals of the late archaic period. Pindar worked on lyric poetry. The largest part of his surviving works is the Victory Odes (Epinikia), chorus songs to be sung in the homeland of the winner of the Games upon his return. The Greek aristocracy of the first half of the 5th century BC, mostly the tyrants of Sicily and

2160-418: The wood can be burnt for strong smoke flavoring . Laurus nobilis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in regions with Mediterranean or oceanic climates , and as a house plant or greenhouse plant in colder regions. It is used in topiary to create single erect stems with ball-shaped, box-shaped or twisted crowns; also for low hedges. However, it is slow-growing and may take several years to reach

2208-504: Was Coroebus of Elis ) gave his name to the entire four-year Olympiad, allowing modern knowledge of nearly all of them. The stadion was named after the building in which it took place. This word became stadium in Latin , which became the English " stadium ". The race also gave its name to the unit of length, the stadion . There were other types of running events, but the stadion was

2256-476: Was abolished by the second Games because the music was considered "ill-omened" with dismal tunes accompanied by lamentations. Pythocritus of Sicyon was aulos victor at six consecutive festivals, the only player so to distinguish himself. He accompanied the pentathlon at the Olympics where a statue was erected to him. Pausanias ascribes the introduction of the cithara contest without vocals to the eighth Pythian Games. Poetry and prose contests were another feature of

2304-473: Was an ancient running event and also the building in which it took place, as part of Panhellenic Games including the Ancient Olympic Games . The event was one of the five major Pentathlon events and the premier event of the gymnikos agon (γυμνικὸς ἀγών "nude competition"). From the years 776 to 724 BC, the stadion was the only event at the Olympic Games. The victor (the first of whom

#396603