INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

In return, Olympic victors translated their enhanced status into
service to the state. While we find examples of Olympic victors
leading colonial enterprises, it was in warfare where a victor could
prove the most value. On the battlefield, former victors seem to have
wielded a “talismanic” level of potency and influence. Victors wore
their victory garlands into battle; at Sparta, such men fought by the
king in the most vulnerable part of the hoplite line. Milon of Croton,
six-time victor at Olympia, led the Crotoniates to great victory over
the neighbouring Sybarites crowned and dressed as Heracles and
armed with a club. In exceptional cases, particularly successful or
outstanding Olympic victors could even come to be revered
themselves by later generations via the institution of hero-cult.
Inter-state competition and the Olympic Games
As a pan-Hellenic arena for competition, then, Olympia was
clearly important for not only the individual but also the city-state.
Many city-states came to exploit and covet the opportunities for selfpromotion
and aggrandisement provided by the Olympic Games and
the customary act of dedication. In this way, the Games were an
important arena for the growing feelings of ethnic and national
identity developing across the Hellenic world. Interstate competition
and conflict stand at the centre of this phenomenon.
The special relationship of Elis to the Olympic Games, for
example, could cause interstate tension. Throughout our period and
beyond, Elis was widely viewed as the rightful organiser and protector
of the Olympic Games. However, besides the moral dilemma posed by
the involvement of Eleans not only as organisers and judges but also
as athletes, there were very real instances when Elis’ position came
under threat. Of central importance was the fact that the smaller, more
local community at Pisa also claimed a traditional right to hold the
Games. Although Pisa was directly incorporated into the Elean state
during the 6 th century, this tradition was revived in the 360s B.C. and
championed by the Arcadian Confederacy, Elis’ neighbour and
enemy. You may recall that this resulted in Elis’ breaking of the
sacred truce and the commencement of a battle that spilled over into
the Altis during the Olympic festival held in 364 B.C. The situation
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