CLAS 1000 Study Guide - Isthmian Games, Nemean Games, Pythian Games

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: CLAS 1000
• Professor: John Walsh

Document Summary

In the archaic period, the aristocratic class both political power and status. Aristocrats could no long prove themselves heroic (everyone is fighting in the wars) Aristocratic inefficient cattle economy all but collapsed by 550 b. c. Agothi *upper class* (the good ones) - defined by high birth, physical excellence, and skill in war. Kakoi *lower class* - saw wealth as corrupting. Aristocrats started to try to prove their heroic status via contests "agones"-olympic games took full form. 9 events including chariot races, boxing wrestling and pentathlon. Lasted for 5 days, attended by vast crowds. Events interwoven with contests for herald and trumpeters, speeches, banquets, sacrifices, and on the last day, the victors are given wreaths of wild olive and showered with leaves and flowers. 6th century, olympic games joined by pythian games at delphy (582 b. c. ), isthmian games, and by the nemean games at nema in 573 b. c.