582 BC

THE PYTHIAN GAMES

Due to the emphasis in the Pythian Games on the arts as well as athletics they have served as a more holistic model for our work in AllinPeace. Here is a brief description of the background to the games.

Before Apollo the oracle of Delphi was dedicated to Mother Earth. Her guardian was a large snake, the dragon Python. Apollo killed the evil serpent and he then left in self-imposed exile. He went to King Admetus of Pherai and remained in his employment for eight years. When he felt purified he returned to Delphi. In memory of this history the faithful organized musical contests known as the Pythia. Later athletic contests and horse races were added to the games. If there were wars these were stopped for three months so that athletes could travel safely to Delphi during the Games. The games were held every eight years at first then later every four years. Music contests were held in the theater, horse races at the hippodrome, and track events at the stadium.

The Pythian Games were the most important music and poetry competitions in antiquity, since Apollo was the god of intellectual creation and led the nine muses. The Greeks believed that music had a profound effect on man's mind and soul, which is why it was given priority in the education of young people.

One Last reason we are inspired by Pythian game is: that: all free people could compete without discrimination, definition of a free person was the one who stepped on Delphi soil became a recognized free citizen.