OF THE ISTHMIAN GAMES. THESE games received their name from the isthmus of Corinth, the scene of their celebration. The traditional account of their origin is, that they were instituted by Sisyphus, king of Corinth, and brother of Athamas, B. C. 1326, to commemorate the metamorphosis of Melicerta, son of Athamas and Ino, into a sea deity, named afterwards Palæmon by the Greeks, and Portumnus by the Latins, whom his mother had in her frensy thrown with herself into the sea; after which the name of Ino was changed to Leucothea. (See the opening of the eleventh Pythian ode.) Melicerta was saved from death by the Nereids, one of whom appeared to Sisyphus, and enjoined him to institute games in order to commemorate this event. They were sacred to Neptune, as the Olympic were to Jupiter, the Pythian to Apollo, and the Nemean to Hercules. Some time after their first celebration they were interrupted by the incursion into Greece of a band of robbers, headed by the fierce and cruel Sciris and Scyron; but at length Theseus,* son of Ageus, cleared the country of these marauders, who terrified strangers from being present at these games, and reinstituted them about B. C. 1220. He changed the time of their celebration from night to day, and they were held after an interval of three years (see Nem. vi. 69). Every kind of combat was exhibited at these games, and the reward of the victor at first consisted of a wreath of pine-leaves, which was afterwards changed to parsley, as being a funereal plant, and therefore more appropriate to games instituted in honor of the drowned Melicerta. The Corinthians originally presided at them; but on the capture of Corinth by Mummius, A. C. 146, this honorable office was transferred to the Sicyonians. Afterwards however it was restored to the Corinthians, and enjoyed by them as long as the celebration of these games continued. It is to them that St. Paul so finely alludes (1 Cor. ix. 24-27). * This and other exploits of a similar nature performed by Theseus, are mentioned by Ovid (Met. vii. 433, &c.) Great Theseus! thee the Marathonian plain Of the dire monster's blood, by valiant Theseus slain. Tate's version. THE FIRST ISTHMIAN ODE. TO HERODOTUS OF THEBES, VICTOR IN THE CHARIOT RACE. ARGUMENT. THE poet, having laid aside the task which he had on hand, declares his wish to compose an ode to the conqueror Herodotus, after the example of Castor and Iolaus, in praise of whom he digresses-Justice of celebrating the victor's triumphs, which are recorded in the remaining part of the ode. O MOTHER, Thebes with golden shield, For whom I late have pour'd the strain. Hymning the unshorn Phoebus' might, Since on the brave Cadmæan band Six chaplets his victorious arm With conquering valor's brightest charm. 5 10 15 Alcmena there in days of yore For they who the triumphant chariot drove, In Thebes and Sparta born, all heroes rank’d above. 25 First in the numerous contests, they In naked stadia shines their valor clear, 31 35 As in the armed course, when sounds the martial spear. 32 And when they whirl'd the dart on high, For yet no crown pentathlic gain'd, Each deed its due success obtain❜d. 40 Their locks with frequent chaplets bound, Erst in these contests won, Where Dirce's streams refresh the ground, Iphicles' noble son; Who to the earth-sown Theban race Could his illustrious lineage trace, And Tyndarus', whose loved retreat Was in Therapne's high Achæan seat. 43 45 |