Difference between revisions of "Diagoras"
(Created page with "'''Diagoras of Rhodes''' (Διαγόρας ο Ρόδιος) was an ancient Greek boxer from the 5th century BC, who was celebrated for his own victories, as well as th...") |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Diagoras of Rhodes''' (Διαγόρας ο Ρόδιος) was an ancient [[Greeks|Greek]] boxer from the 5th century BC, who was celebrated for his own victories, as well as the victories of his sons and grandsons. He was a member of the Eratidae family at [[Ialysos]] in [[Rhodes]]. He descended from [[Damagetus]], king of [[Ialysos]], and, on the mother's side, from the [[Messenian]] hero, [[Aristomenes]]. Diagoras was victor in boxing twice in the [[Olympic games]], four times in the [[Isthmian_Games|Isthmian]], twice in the [[Nemean_Games|Nemean]], and once at least in the [[Pythian Games]]. The fame of Diagoras and his descendants was celebrated by [[Pindar]] (Olympian Odes VII). A local [[football (soccer)|football]] club, [[Diagoras FC]] and the [[Rhodes International Airport, "Diagoras"]], are named after him. | + | '''Diagoras of Rhodes''' (Διαγόρας ο Ρόδιος) was an ancient [[Greeks|Greek]] boxer from the 5th century BC, who was celebrated for his own victories, as well as the victories of his sons and grandsons. He was a member of the Eratidae family at [[Ialysos]] in [[Rhodes]]. He descended from [[Damagetus]], king of [[Ialysos]], and, on the mother's side, from the [[Messene|Messenian]] hero, [[Aristomenes]]. Diagoras was victor in boxing twice in the [[Olympic games]], four times in the [[Isthmian_Games|Isthmian]], twice in the [[Nemean_Games|Nemean]], and once at least in the [[Pythian Games]]. The fame of Diagoras and his descendants was celebrated by [[Pindar]] (Olympian Odes VII). A local [[football (soccer)|football]] club, [[Diagoras FC]] and the [[Rhodes International Airport, "Diagoras"]], are named after him. |
His three sons were also Olympic champions. The oldest son, Damagetos, won the [[pankration]] in [[452 BC|452]] and [[448 BC]]. Akousilaos, the second son, won the boxing in [[448 BC]]. The two celebrated their victory by carrying their father around the stadium on their shoulders, cheered loudly by the spectators. This was considered the peak of happiness that a human being could experience, achieving great glory and yet having this glory matched or even surpassed by one's own children. Legend has it that during Diagoras' triumphant ovation on the shoulders of his sons, a spectator shouted: | His three sons were also Olympic champions. The oldest son, Damagetos, won the [[pankration]] in [[452 BC|452]] and [[448 BC]]. Akousilaos, the second son, won the boxing in [[448 BC]]. The two celebrated their victory by carrying their father around the stadium on their shoulders, cheered loudly by the spectators. This was considered the peak of happiness that a human being could experience, achieving great glory and yet having this glory matched or even surpassed by one's own children. Legend has it that during Diagoras' triumphant ovation on the shoulders of his sons, a spectator shouted: | ||
| − | <blockquote>Κάτθανε, Διαγόρα, ου καί ες Όλυμπον αναβήση | + | <blockquote>Κάτθανε, Διαγόρα, ου καί ες Όλυμπον αναβήση |
(Die, Diagoras, for [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]] you will not ascend) </blockquote> | (Die, Diagoras, for [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]] you will not ascend) </blockquote> | ||
the meaning being that although he attained godlike bliss, he could not possibly become a god. Indeed Diagoras died on the spot, and was since considered the very happiest mortal that ever lived. His youngest son, Dorieus, was even more successful than his brothers. | the meaning being that although he attained godlike bliss, he could not possibly become a god. Indeed Diagoras died on the spot, and was since considered the very happiest mortal that ever lived. His youngest son, Dorieus, was even more successful than his brothers. | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
*Smith, William. ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1005.html Diagoras]. | *Smith, William. ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1005.html Diagoras]. | ||
| − | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 23: | Line 22: | ||
*The Extant Odes of Pindar By Pindar Page 48 ISBN 1426443552; [http://books.google.com/books?id=ozQc2x8XJiMC&pg=PA48&dq=Pindar+Diagoras#v=onepage&q=&f=false Pindar's epinikion to Diagoras] | *The Extant Odes of Pindar By Pindar Page 48 ISBN 1426443552; [http://books.google.com/books?id=ozQc2x8XJiMC&pg=PA48&dq=Pindar+Diagoras#v=onepage&q=&f=false Pindar's epinikion to Diagoras] | ||
| − | + | {{Credit wikipedia}} | |
| − | [[Category:Ancient Olympic | + | |
| − | + | [[Category:Ancient Olympic Games]] | |
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 11:36, February 16, 2012
Diagoras of Rhodes (Διαγόρας ο Ρόδιος) was an ancient Greek boxer from the 5th century BC, who was celebrated for his own victories, as well as the victories of his sons and grandsons. He was a member of the Eratidae family at Ialysos in Rhodes. He descended from Damagetus, king of Ialysos, and, on the mother's side, from the Messenian hero, Aristomenes. Diagoras was victor in boxing twice in the Olympic games, four times in the Isthmian, twice in the Nemean, and once at least in the Pythian Games. The fame of Diagoras and his descendants was celebrated by Pindar (Olympian Odes VII). A local football club, Diagoras FC and the Rhodes International Airport, "Diagoras", are named after him.
His three sons were also Olympic champions. The oldest son, Damagetos, won the pankration in 452 and 448 BC. Akousilaos, the second son, won the boxing in 448 BC. The two celebrated their victory by carrying their father around the stadium on their shoulders, cheered loudly by the spectators. This was considered the peak of happiness that a human being could experience, achieving great glory and yet having this glory matched or even surpassed by one's own children. Legend has it that during Diagoras' triumphant ovation on the shoulders of his sons, a spectator shouted:
Κάτθανε, Διαγόρα, ου καί ες Όλυμπον αναβήση (Die, Diagoras, for Olympus you will not ascend)
the meaning being that although he attained godlike bliss, he could not possibly become a god. Indeed Diagoras died on the spot, and was since considered the very happiest mortal that ever lived. His youngest son, Dorieus, was even more successful than his brothers.
According to another legend revived by Pausanias,[1] Diagoras' daughter, Kallipateira ("she of the beautiful father") was the only lay woman to enter the Olympic Games. Excepting the priestess of Demeter, all women were banned from watching because athletes performed in the nude. Kallipateira's son, Peisirrhodos, as well as her nephew, Euklēs, had won the Olympic Games too, when she decided to sneak into the crowd, disguised as a man. She was discovered and brought before the Hellanodikai (Judges of the Hellenes) to be tried for sacrilege on pain of death; there she proclaimed that if any woman could ever be allowed to defy the ban, it was she, having had a father, three brothers, a son and a nephew achieve victory eight times there. The judges were awed, and she was acquitted. However, according to Pausanias, a law was passed that future trainers should strip before entering the arena. Legend has it that Chilon of Sparta also died of joy the day when his son gained the prize for boxing at the Olympic games,
See also
References
- Smith, William. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Diagoras.
Notes
External links
- Diagoras of Rhodes Athletes' Stories by Perseus Project
- The Extant Odes of Pindar By Pindar Page 48 ISBN 1426443552; Pindar's epinikion to Diagoras
A portion of content for this article is credited to Wikipedia. Content under GNU Free Documentation License(GFDL)