Isthmian Games

Isthmian Games
one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every two years on the Isthmus of Corinth.
[1595-1605]

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In ancient Greece, a festival of athletic and musical competitions in honor of the sea god Poseidon.

It was held in the spring of the second and fourth years of each Olympiad at Poseidon's legendary sanctuary on the Isthmus of Corinth. It died out when Christianity became dominant in the 4th century AD.

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▪ ancient Greek festival
      in ancient Greece, a festival of athletic and musical competitions in honour of the sea god Poseidon, held in the spring of the second and fourth years of each Olympiad at his sanctuary on the Isthmus of Corinth. Legend attributed their origin either to Sisyphus, king of Corinth, or to Theseus. Open to all Greeks, the Isthmian Games were especially popular with Athenians. The victors' prize, originally a crown of dry wild celery, was changed to a pine wreath in Roman times, the pine being sacred to Poseidon. Celebration of the festival died out when Christianity became dominant in the 4th century AD.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Isthmian games — Isthmian Isth mi*an, a. [L. Isthmius, Gr. ?. See {Isthmus}.] Of or pertaining to an isthmus, especially to the Isthmus of Corinth, in Greece. [1913 Webster] {Isthmian games} (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of Greece,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Isthmian Games — The Isthmian Games or Isthmia (ancient Greek Ἴσθμια) were one of the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece, and were named after the isthmus of Corinth, where they were held. As with the Nemean Games, the Isthmian Games were held both the year… …   Wikipedia

  • Isthmian Games — noun the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially on the Isthmus of Corinth in the first and third years of each Olympiad • Hypernyms: ↑agon * * * one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every two years on the Isthmus of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Isthmian Games — Isth′mian Games′ n. anq one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every two years on the Isthmus of Corinth • Etymology: 1595–1605 …   From formal English to slang

  • ISTHMIAN GAMES —    one of the four Pan Hellenic festivals; they were periodically celebrated in honour of Poseidon or Neptune at the isthmus of Corinth, in Greece, whence the name …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Isthmian games — /ɪsθmiən ˈgeɪmz/ (say isthmeeuhn gaymz) noun one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every two years on the Isthmus of Corinth …  

  • Isthmian League — Countries  England Founded …   Wikipedia

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  • Games — were an important celebratory element in the religious life of ancient Greece. The modern Olympic Games take their name from the Ancient Olympic Games; the modern Olympics are divided between the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games …   Wikipedia

  • Isthmian — Isth mi*an, a. [L. Isthmius, Gr. ?. See {Isthmus}.] Of or pertaining to an isthmus, especially to the Isthmus of Corinth, in Greece. [1913 Webster] {Isthmian games} (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of Greece, celebrated on… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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