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, Lycaean, and also Isthmian games, now almost completely forgotten.
Where the games were held
The territory of Greece in the Antiquity era was a set of independent states that competed with each other. This rivalry concerned not only the military and economic spheres, but also the field of culture. Each more or less powerful state sought to hold bright, spectacular holidays dedicated to local patron gods. These festivities, as a rule, were accompanied by sports competitions, and sometimes, as, for example, in Delphi, also competitions of musicians and poets.
The Isthmian Games were held in Corinth, one of the strongest and most developed states of Antiquity. Their venue was a narrow bridge between the Peloponnese peninsula and the mainland. This isthmus was called Isthmus in ancient times (now the Isthmus of Corinth).
The competition was held every two years side by sidewith the temple of Poseidon - the patron saint of Corinth. From this it is clear to which god the Isthmian games were dedicated.
Legends and myths of the Isthmian Games
Despite the fact that the Olympic Games in the era of Antiquity were more popular, many myths were associated with the Isthmian.
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 argument, and only Istm remained in his power. But in order to compensate for his defeat, Poseidon held equestrian competitions, because, as you know, this god usually rode a chariot. Since then, the Isthmian Games have always included this type of competition in the program.
Another myth tells that sports competitions on the Isthm were revived by Sisyphus, the founding king of the Isthmian Games. He did this in honor of the miraculous rescue of his young nephew, to whose aid Poseidon came.
There is another version, according to which Theseus is considered the founder of these games. One of his exploits was the victory over the robber Skiron, whom he threw into the sea. The robber turned out to be the son of Poseidon, and Theseus organized sports competitions as a redemptive sacrifice.
True story
The Isthmian Games in ancient Greece received the status of a national holiday during the reign of the Corinthian king Periander, presumably in 582 BC. e. The second "curator" of these competitions was the state of Argos, although later they becameorganize your own games.
Representatives of other regions of Ancient Greece, except for the Eleians, the organizers of the Olympic Games, also had the right to attend the Ismian Games. They once disrespected the young Periander, and because of this they were not allowed to the Isthm.
Corinth was a we althy state, so the games were held on a grand scale. The winners of the competition, in addition to a wreath of ivy and pine branches, received valuable prizes established by other policies, such as Athens. Such a "commercialization" of competitions was condemned by many, because the games were considered sacred, and the athletes who came from all over Greece sometimes even forgot which god the Isthmian Games were dedicated to.
Nevertheless, competitions were popular even during the Peloponnesian War and after the destruction of Corinth.
Sports program
The centerpiece of the games was a four-horse chariot race, commemorating the competition held by Poseidon himself. There were also horse races, although they were not as popular in ancient Greece.
Athletic competitions include running, fisticuffs, wrestling and pankration - an analogue of modern combat without rules. There were different age categories in which athletes could compete: boys, youths and men.
The winner was awarded a palm branch, a wreath, and often a considerable cash or valuable prize established by participating states.
Among the winners of the Isthmian Games were mythicalcharacters. For example, Castor won the race, his twin brother Polydeuces won the fistfight, and Hercules defeated all opponents in the pankration.
Competition of musicians and poets
The Isthmian games in Ancient Greece also included competitions of flutists and kyfareds - masters of playing the cithara, a musical instrument popular in the era of Antiquity.
Along with the musicians, poets also performed, and not only the quality of the poems themselves was evaluated, but also the artistic talent of their performer. According to legend, once even Orpheus himself participated in the competition of kyfareds and, of course, became the winner.
The competition, which lasted several days, ended with the awarding and honoring of the winner, who received a wreath of ivy and pine branches (later - celery) and a palm branch. Although poetry and music competitions were no less popular than sports, their winners were not supposed to receive valuable prizes, at least there is no mention of them anywhere in historical sources.
The decline of the Isthmian games is associated with the spread of Roman rule and the general enthusiasm for gladiator fights. The last mention of them dates back to the 4th century AD.
