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It was by these, therefore, according to Philostratos, that a beginning
was made to compete in endurance races, which were called "dolichos",
and, it was from the dolichos runners that many herald runners
were later created who were later utilised in war duties.
Ageus, or Argeus (according to Robert in Hermes 1900 p. 154
Aegeus) a day-runner from Argos, was victor in Olympia in 328 B.C.
in the dolichos, and immediately left Olympia "And in Argos, on the
very same day announced his victory (Euseb. Edition Schöne. I. p.
206). It should be noted that Olympia is about 100 kilometres distant
direct from Argos. From Herodotus (VI, 106) we learn that the dayrunner
Pheidippides, reached Sparta from Athens, in two days, that is
to say covering a distance of over 230 kilometres in that time. If it be
considered that Pheidippides was an exceptional performer of that
period how then can the fact be explained that this same distance was
covered by 2,000 fully armed Spartans in three days (Herod. VI 120
and Isocrates Paneg. 87).
Another athlete, Euchidas, went from Plataea to Delphi and returned
within the same day, before sunset, in order to bring the pure
flame of the altar of Apollon, that is to say he covered a distance of 180
kilometres. He did not survive it, however, for after he handed over
the flame, he fell down and breathed his last.
The fully armed war race also deserves its dedication. The men
of Elis were at war with the men of Dymaea and for that reason the
28th Olympiad (668 B.C.) was organised by the men of Pisa. The stubborness
of the opponents, however, was so great, that they did not respect
the truce of the Olympic Games. The men of Elis beat the men
of Dymaea precisely on the very day of the Games, and an hoplite
(soldier), it is said, arrived as he was, fully armed, as a day runner and
entered the stadium vociferating the glad news of victory.These matters
are referred by Julian the African. Philostratos, however (Gymn. 13)
states that the first victor of a race bearing arms was Demaratos from
the Heraeon, during the 65th Olympia ((520 B.C.). Because, Philostratos
adds, the same stories were told by the inhabitants of Delphi
when they were at war with the Cities of Phocis, and by the Argives
when they had been at war for many years with the Spartans, as also
by the Corinthians and others. That is why I contend, Philostratos
adds, that the adoption of the hoplite race (the fully armed race) is
linked with warfare and the event is held last, to remind all that events
pertaining to peace are over and that all must take up arms again in
hand.
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