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year. A resident of ancient Athens, a city state with a population no larger than
the present population of the city of Patras, in the course of one year could watch
for example at least ten sports competitions without having to leave his place of
residence. Athenian athletes could test their talents and skills at the lesser and
Great Panathenaea, the lesser and great Eleusinian mysteries, the Herakleia,
Oschophoreia, Theseia, Epitaphia, Apatouria, Mounichia, Aianteia, Olympia,
Vendideia, Disotiria, Hermeia or, reaching the borders of their city's territory,
at the Amphiareia of Oropos.
Although, in most cases, we do not know the detailed programme of these
games, we can assume that it was not equally rich in all of them. But one did
not have to wait four years for the next Great Panathenaea, the most important
competition of the city, to enjoy a plethora of events. Let us take the example
of the Theseia, a less known event by which the Athenians honoured their city's
founder. They were held each year in October and lasted three days. The
event began with a morning procession during which the animals were taken to
sacrifice. Then came contests for trumpeters and heralds where the latter would
compete in panegyric speeches and poetical recitations. They were followed by
military competitions called and at which prizes were given for bearing and
weapons. Three military groups competed in these events, the elite troops, the
foreign troops and the Athenians' cavalry. In the evening there were torch races
for different age groups. Participants were divided into the following categories:
boys, juniors, and young men, men and occasionally, riders.
The athletic and equestrian events were held on the following days. The
programme of athletics included the long-distance race (dolichos), the single
foot-race (stadion), the double foot-race (diaulos), wrestling, boxing, the pancration,
as well as events of military origin, the hoplite race (race in armour), fencing
with a shield and spear, fencing with a shield and short sword and the javelin
throw. These games were open to five age groups, i.e. three boys categories (first,
second and third age), a mixed age category and a category of men which could
include non-Athenians. Only the men's category could compete in the full
programme; the boys of the mixed and third age groups did not compete in the
military events, whilst the two younger categories did not compete in the dolichos.
The equestrian contests took place on the third day and included ten events in
all: the speed race, the two- and four - horse chariot races, the akambios (a race
over a straight track), the simple diaulos and the diaulos with horses in war armour
and javelin-throwing on horseback, the last event on the programme.
Can we compare the Theseia-making all due allowances of course - to
present-day sports competition? To some extend I would say yes. We also have
today one-day sports events in honour of the modern "heroes" of sport, history,
politics or the economy such as, for example, the Tsicliteria, the Papafleseia or
the Vardinogianeia, to mention only those which were held in this country in
the last few days. As in the Theseia, there was international participation in these
competitions. Today too, there is a large number of events on the programme,
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