Organized foreign sources of the Eleusinian Mysteries. In the complex apparatus and sacerdotal organization of this solemnity, we at once discern the foreign influences previously noticed; while in the Isthmæan, Nemæan, Olympian, and Pythian games, we as clearly perceive the working of the true Grecian legend, simple and incomplex. Isthmian Games. Temple of Athenian at Corinth. SECTION III.-THE ISTHMIAN GAMES. The ISTHMIAN GAMES (so called from the Corinthian Isthmus, the place of celebration), constituted a festival in honour of Poseidon, or Neptune. The site of this solemnity was well calculated to carry out the illusion of the legend attached to it. Between the Enean hills and the shore of the Saronic Gulf rose the stately temple of Poseidon; while a stadium and theatre of white marble, deep groves of pine trees, and a long avenue of statues-the representatives of the Isth mian victors conferred additional magnificence on this arena of Hellenic vigour. To this great national pageant the Athenians were wont to repair with much pomp, crossing the Saronic Gulf in the Theoric or sacred vessel, whilst the privilege of an honorary position importance at the games, was granted them by the Corinthians; and so powerful was the influence of religious feeling, that even in time of war with Athens, her citizens were invited to attend under the pledge of a sacred truce. In nothing perhaps is the innate energy of the Hellenic character more strongly evinced, than the adaptation to vigorous and manly exercises of rites which were once of a mysterious cast-of such a nature were the originals of the Isthmian games.2 Theseus, who, following certain legends, was the son of Poseidon, appears to have instituted these festivals, in a species of rival imitation of Heracles the founder of the Olympian games; and they were, after this period, celebrated in honour of Poseidon. This solemnity was characterised with the same festivity and rejoicing, which accompanied the corresponding national institutes of Hellas, embracing the whole range of gymnastic and intellectual competition, to which latter distinction women also were admitted." The prize of victory was simple-a wreath of pine-leaves, subsequently of ivy, and again a garland of pine graced the brows of the conqueror, who not only became the object of Pecuniary admiration, but conferred the splendour of his renown on his native city; whilst the Athenian victor received, from the public treasury, a 3 Plut. Imp. v. 2. Prize of victory. reward. Προεδρία. 2 Plut. Thes. 25. 3 victors in Games. magnificent reward,' and triumphal odes swelled the glory of his Pecuniary achievement. These magnificent pageants were suspended during the rewards to sway of the Cypselides at Corinth, a period of seventy years; but it the Isthmian was only to attain a still greater splendour and regularity, becoming, B.C. 584 (49th Olympiad), a triennial festival, occurring the first and third year of every Olympiad. The triennial order of celebration continued regularly to a very late period. In the Isthmian solemnities B.C. 228, the Romans were privileged to bear a part. Here, too, the public proclamation of the independence of Greece, was made by Flaminius. The Corinthians were stripped of the dignity of presidents of these noble games on the fall of their city before the Roman power B.C. 146, when the Sicyonians were privileged to assume their position. Under the fostering hand of Julius Cæsar, the city of Corinth rose from its ruins, and the Corinthians once more resumed their natural position as presidents of the games, which continued till the general establishment of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Athletic exercises, the Pancratium, wrestling, horse and chariot races," poetical and musical contests, were the distinguishing features of these games. That female intellect was not inefficiently represented at the Isthmia, is apparent from the circumstance of the victory gained by Aristomache, the poetess, who, in token of her acknowledgment, presented to the treasury at Sicyon, the appropriate souvenir of a golden book. The dignified position of a victor at these games, is evidenced by the splendid Triumphal Odes' of Pindar. SECTION IV.—THE NEMEAN GAMES. Games. Nemæa, near Cleonæ, in Argolis, gave a title to the celebrated Nemaan NEMEAN GAMES, instituted, we are told, in legendary song, by the Seven against Thebes. These warriors, oppressed with thirst, met Their origin. Hypsipile, then carrying Ophethes, the child of Eurydice. Hastening to point out to these chiefs the nearest spring, she left the child in a meadow. On the return of the Seven, they saw the infant lying dead, having been slain by a dragon. This monster they slew, and instituted funereal games, which were celebrated every third year. The origin of the Nemaan Games is, by other legends, attributed to Heracles, by whose instrumentality they were celebrated in honour of Zeus, whom Pindar notices as the patron divinity." These games, though open to all the Greeks, were primarily of a warlike nature, nor could any one participate in them, save chiefs of approved prowess, or their sons. This grand festival was celebrated in a grove Locality. between Phlius and Cleonæ. It embraced wrestling, chariot-racing, 1 Plut. Sol. 23. Suet. Ner. 24. 7 'Exivinia. Nem. iii. 114. [H. G.] 2 Solinus, c. xii. 5 Paus. v. 2, § 4. 3 Polyb. ii. 13. 8 Vide Krause, "Die Pythien, Nemeen und Isthmien,” p. 165. C Nature of running in armour in the stadium,' bow-shooting, the discus, throwing the Games. the spear, and musical rivalry. As at the Isthmian Games, we find 2 Change of prize. Presidency a change of the prize taking place; first, a wreath of olive branches, then a chaplet of parsley, although the period of this change is not ascertained. At various times, Cleonæ, Argos, and Corinth, gave presidents to these games, in which the first people seem to have obtained some superior celebrity, since these festivals were sometimes styled "The Cleonian games. The season of the year in which these festivals 3 were held, is the subject of discrepant accounts; though from a considerable authority we learn that they were held on the 12th of the month Panemus. Pausanias mentions a celebration of these games in winter, which, however, he distinguishes from the summer festivals. In the same local spirit which actuated Delphi, Argolis began to adopt these games, as a chronological era, about the date of the battle of Marathon. The Nemean Games are said to have been revived B.C. 567, and were thenceforward celebrated twice in every Olympiad. Corinth, Cleonæ, and Argos continued to have the presidency of these games, till, in B.C. 208, the latter people resigned the honorary post to Philip of Macedon. This festival gradually declined till the time of the Emperor Hadrian, soon after which it appears to have been discontinued." Paus. ii. 15, § 2. 5 Paus. ii. 15. 2 Plut. Philop. ii. 6 Polyb. x. 26. 7 For further particulars see Schömann, Plut. Ag. et Cleom. SECTION V.-THE OLYMPIC GAMES. The most completely national of the Hellenic games were the The Olympic OLYMPIC, celebrated in honour of the Olympian Zeus. They were also the most legendary. The Idæan Heracles, the æra of Cronos, the Curetes, Rhea and the new-born Zeus, helped to satisfy the antiquarian aspirations of legendary Olympia; while Pelops, Heracles the son of Amphitryon, and a long train of heroic presidents, dignified its traditions. The true historic Olympiad, which sprang from these legends, is placed B.C. 776, the date of the victory of Corcbus, the commencement also of historical Greece. This great national festival, though at first confined to the Peloponnesus, became Games. admission. rendezvous. Games. at length so renowned, as to embrace the whole Hellenic race, who, whether as colonists of Asia, Africa, or Europe, or resident in the Right of mother-country, were entitled to enter the lists, provided they were of pure Hellenic origin; those alone excepted who had been guilty of a breach of the divine laws, or had been stigmatised with disgrace by their respective states. The spectators who thronged to this festival were very numerous, since even barbarians might be present; while another strong reason for the vast influx of visitors, was the fact of its being the grand rendezvous for commercial transactions from the Commercial most distant countries. The rival splendour of the Theōrōi, or deputies from the various Hellenic states, the dignity of their position, and the magnificence of their offerings, formed likewise powerful attractions. The site of these noble games was the beautiful valley of Olympia, Site of the about three miles in length, and one in breadth; its southern boundary Olympic the broad stream of the Alpheius, whilst the eastern and western boundaries of this verdant arena of Hellas are marked by the streams Cladeus and Harpinates. An observer taking post upon Mount Cronius, which sloped down to the Olympic valley, could survey the ten treasuries reared by various Hellenic states, embellished by magnificent offerings, and statues of exquisite workmanship; the Stadium, The Stadium. situated in a declivity of Mount Cronius; the Hippodrome, stretching from west to east; and the Altis, or sacred grove of Zeus, containing the most glorious objects of Olympia. Near the centre of this hallowed Temple of spot rose the temple of the Olympian Zeus, a Doric edifice 230 feet in length, 95 in breadth, and 68 in height. Within this magnificent Statue of fabric was enthroned the colossal statue of Zeus, formed of ivory and Just. xiii. 5. See also Burckhardt's account of the pilgrims and business carried on at Medina. Zeus. Zeus. But one female admitted. Females gold-a combination so splendid and harmonious, so dazzling and glorious in its aspect, as to produce the effect of a vision of that immortal deity. The western façade of the Hippodrome was formed by a portico, through which the spectator reached the barriers whence the chariots started. With the exception of the priestess of Demeter, who sat on a marble altar facing the Hellanodicæ, or judges of the games, no woman was permitted to be present: the penalty for transgression was a frightful death by being hurled from the Typæan rock. Though permitted to thus restricted from personal attendance, the female sex was permitted to compete by sending chariots to the races.' As this grand national festival was under the immediate patronage of the Olympian Zeus, the opening day was celebrated by initiatory sacrifices, the chief of which were offered by the Eleans; whilst the victors in the games, the Theōrōi, and not a few private individuals, were liberal in their offerings to the various divinities of Greece. send subjects for competition. Interval of Four years elapsed between each celebration of this gorgeous pageant, which was varied by every possible display of physical ex cellence. The exhibition consisted of the chariot race, with four horses," the foot-race, and the foot-race with the equipments of the Hoplites or heavy-armed; wrestling, boxing, the Pentathlon, or the five-fold exercises; the Pancratium, a com bination of boxing and wrestling, and the contests of the trumpeters: and all these, whether relating to men, to boys, or to horses, were in great variety. The duty of the Hellanodicæ, or judges of the games, was to maintain the laws connected with the games, to determine and allot the prizes: nor was this a duty of easy acquisition; for, after being chosen by lot from the body of the Eleans, they had to undergo a preliminary instruction by the 1 The sister of Agesilaus was the first woman whose horse gained the prize at the Olympic games, Paus. iii. 8. 2 The varieties were, -the horse-race with mares (xáλn); with two full-grown horses; with two foals; with four foals; with mules; horse-race with mares; with foals. 3 Varieties of foot-race :-the double traverse of the stadium (diavλos); a still longer course (the deaxos); and a foot-race for boys. |