Pythian Games

Pythian Games
one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years at Delphi in honor of Apollo.
[1595-1605]

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In ancient Greece, various athletic and musical competitions held in honour of Apollo, chiefly those at Delphi.

The games were held from before the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD. They took place in August of the third year of each Olympiad (the four-year period between Olympic Games). Events were similar to those of the ancient Olympics.

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▪ Greek games
      in ancient Greece, various athletic and musical competitions held in honour of Apollo, chiefly those at Delphi. The musicians' contest there dated from very early times. In 582 BC it was made quadrennial, and athletic events including foot and chariot races were added in emulation of the Olympic Games. Open to all Greeks, the contests were held either at the Delphic shrine on Mount Parnassus or on the Crisaean plain below. The victor was awarded a laurel wreath. The games took place in August of the third year of each Olympiad (the four-year period between Olympic Games). The interval between them was known as a Pythiad. They continued to be held until the 4th century AD.

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  • Pythian games — Pythian Pyth i*an, a. [L. Pythius, Gr. ? belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pythian Games — View of the stadium of the Delphi sanctuary, used for the Pythian Games. The stone steps on the left were added under the Romans …   Wikipedia

  • Pythian Games — noun the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Delphi held every four years in the third year of the Olympiad in honor of Apollo • Hypernyms: ↑agon * * * one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years at Delphi in honor …   Useful english dictionary

  • Pythian Games — Pyth′ian Games′ n. pl. anq one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years at Delphi in honor of Apollo …   From formal English to slang

  • PYTHIAN GAMES —    celebrated from very early times till the 4th century A.D. every four years, near Delphi, in honour of Apollo, who was said to have instituted them to commemorate his victory over the Python; originally were contests in singing only, but after …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Pythian games — /pɪθiən ˈgeɪmz/ (say pitheeuhn gaymz) plural noun one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years at Delphi in honour of Apollo …  

  • Pythian — Pyth i*an, a. [L. Pythius, Gr. ? belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Games — were an important celebratory element in the religious life of ancient Greece. The modern Olympic Games take their name from the Ancient Olympic Games; the modern Olympics are divided between the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games …   Wikipedia

  • Games — (as used in expressions) Commonwealth Games Highland Games Isthmian Games Olympic Games Pan American Sports Games Pythian Games Secular Games sports and games * * * …   Universalium

  • Pythian — [pith′ē ən] adj. [< L Pythius < Gr Pythios, of Pythō, older name for DELPHI and its environs] 1. of Apollo as patron of Delphi and the oracle located there 2. designating or of the games held at Delphi every four years by the ancient Greeks …   English World dictionary

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