Pythian Games
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The Pythian Games (Delphic Games) were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece, a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games, held every four years at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi.
They were held in honour of Apollo two years after (and two years before) each Olympic Games, and between each Nemean and Isthmian Games. They were founded sometime in the 6th century BC, and, unlike the Olympic Games, also featured competitions for music and poetry. The music and poetry competitions pre-dated the athletic portion of the games, and were said to have been started by Apollo after he killed Python and set up the oracle at Delphi. Otherwise, the athletic events were the same as the Olympic Games. A four-horse chariot race was held in a hippodrome in the plain, not far from the sea, in the place where the original stadium was sited. (ref: Pindar)
The winners received a wreath of bay laurels from the city of Tempe in Thessaly. Smaller Pythian were celebrated in many other cities of Asia Minor and Greece.
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[edit] History
The historical timeframe of the Pythian Games starts 582 BC, when the administration of the Games was handed over to the Delphic Amphiktyonia, a council of the twelve Greek tribes, to end the Holy War in the past. Since then they did not take place every eight years as in the past, but every four years, one year prior to the Olympic Games, presumably end-August.
In the beginning only musical contests were held in the Pythian Games, followed later by singing accompanied by Kithara, then extended by singing to Flute and Solo Flute performance. These retained great importance as also in the other big Festivals, although with the new rearrangement of the Pythian even the gymnastic competitions and the chariot racing and horse riding found its introduction to the games.
During the Delphic Games, which lasted three months, the Holy Delphic Peace was announced. The ceasefire guaranteed the people – participants and spectators – to travel without risk to the Games and back to their homeland. The enthusiasm of the public is bequeathed. Scores of people flock out of entire Greece, bringing in substantial revenue to the city. The Agora, the Market took place during the Games, and became a very important significant emporium for the Arts.
In 394 AD Theodosius I, Emperor of Rome and Byzantium, banned the Delphic Games as a heathen event.
[edit] Course
Unfortunately the testimonials and documents covering the Delphic Games were mainly destroyed through human violence and natural catastrophes. All the remaining resources highlight the glory and glamour of the Games. The records of Aristoteles present an overview about the festivities: the Games lasted for six to eight days and were started by a Holy Game, which showcased the victory of Apollo over Python. In a festive and glamorous Procession a “Festival Sacrifice” was performed in the Temple of the Apollo. After four days of festivities the Games began.
The Music and Theatre Play competition were carried out in the Theatre, the athletic contests in the Stadium of Delphi. The chariot races were carried out in the nearby plain of Krisa, taking into account the hilly landscape of Delphi.
The musical disciplines included:
- One Hymn addressed to the Apollo God
- Flute and Kithara (an old Greek string instrument) with or without singing
- Acting and Dance Competitions
- Painting Competitions
The Delphic Games were honorary Games. The winners did not receive any prize money, but a Laurel Twig as award, because the laurel was very sacred to Apollo. Twig as the Olympian award. Even apples were sometimes presented as competitive prize and the winner received the symbolic Palm Twig at the Pythian and also at the Olympian Games. As special honour and tributes also a statue was dedicated to the competitors. However, the reputation the winner received by his city was priceless. The cities supported their representatives with all measures available, to succeed as good as possible at the Games.
[edit] Delphic Games of the Modern Era
1600 years later the International Delphic Council (IDC) was founded in Berlin. Representatives of 18 Nations followed the invitation of the Founder of the Delphic Movement of the Modern Era, J. Christian B. Kirsch. Under the Banner of the IDC, the first Junior Delphic Games 1997 were held in Tbilisi and the first Delphic Games of the Modern Era 2000 in Moscow. Additional mile stones: the II. Junior Delphic Games 2003 were held in Düsseldorf, Germany and the II. Delphic Games 2005 in Kuching, Malaysia. The III. Junior Delphic Games 2007 will be held in November in Baguio City, Philippines and two years later the III. Delphic Games 2009 in Jeju-si, Korea.
Ebun A. Oyagbola, the first IDC President, welcomes the President of Georgia, Edward Shevardnadze, at the first Junior Delphic Games in April 1997.
Patrons and Supporters of the Delphic Games of the Modern Era as listed below:
- Edward Shevardnadze, President of the Republic of Georgia
- Daniel Tarschys, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
- Federico Mayor Zaragoza, General Director UNESCO
- Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
- Alexeij II. Partiarch of Moscow and Russia
- Dr. Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
- Koïshira Matsuura, General Director UNESCO
- Kostas Pappas, Alternate President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)
- Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak, Malaysia
Delphic Games 2005 in Kuching, Malaysia.
[edit] Web
- III JUNIOR DELPHIC GAMES 2007 Baguio City, Philippines - November 10 to 15
- III JUNIOR DELPHIC GAMES 2007 Baguio City, Philippines - Participation Package
- International Delphic Council More Information’s to the Delphic Games of the Modern Era
