Pythian Games

Pythian games (pĭth`ēən), in ancient Greece, games held at Delphi every four years (the third of each Olympiad). They included musical, literary, and athletic contests. The games honored Apollo and took their name from Pythia, the priestess of the oracle at Delphi.

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Pythian Games

In ancient Greece, various athletic and musical competitions held in honour of Apollo, chiefly those at Delphi. The games were held from before the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD. They took place in August of the third year of each Olympiad (the four-year period between Olympic Games). Events were similar to those of the ancient Olympics.

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Pythian Games

Every four years in August

The Pythian Games were ancient Greek games considered next in importance to the Olympic Games. From 586 b.c.e., they were held every four years on the plain near Delphi. Competitions in instrumental music, singing, drama, and recitations in verse and prose were primary, but there were also athletic and equestrian contests modeled on those at Olympia. The prize was a crown of bay leaves.
See also Isthmian Games, Nemean Games, Olympic Games

SOURCES:
DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 67
NewCentClassHandbk-1962, p. 956
OxClassDict-1970, p. 904 (c)

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Pythian Games 

in ancient Greece, pan-Greek celebrations and contests held at the temple of Pythian Apollo in Delphi. The Pythian games were second in importance to the Olympic games. According to tradition, they were instituted by Apollo after his victory over the serpent Python. Originally, the games took place once every eight years and consisted of musical contests. Hymns in honor of Apollo were performed to the accompaniment of a cithara. Beginning around 582 B.C., the games included athletic competitions and chariot races; the interval between games was shortened to four years. A wreath of laurel (considered to be the sacred tree of Apollo) was awarded to the victors. The Pythian games were last held in the late fourth century A.D.