Venue: Pythian Games
Town: Delphi, GR

The Pythian Games (Ancient Greek: Τὰ Πύθια, romanized: Ta Pythia) were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. Reorganized into a Panhellenic festival circa 582 BCE, the festival was held in honor of the god Apollo and took place at his sanctuary in Delphi to commemorate the mytho-historic slaying of Python and the establishment of the Oracle at Delphi. The Pythian Games took place every four years, two years after the Olympic Games, and between each Nemean and Isthmian Games. They continued until the late 4th century AD.Ranked second in prestige behind the Ancient Olympic Games, the Pythian Games originally focused exclusively on artistic competitions in music and dance, such as playing the cithara while singing and flute playing, in honor of Apollo. Following their reorganization in 582 BCE, athletic and equestrian contests were added to the festival program. Although participation was initially restricted to freeborn Greek males, by the Hellenistic and Roman periods, women were permitted to compete in select events, earning victories in equestrian races, musical contests, and footraces. According to ancient Greek Mythology, the Pythian Games are founded with the slaying of the mythical serpent, Python by the god Apollo in his search for a good location to establish his temple. After being directed to the area by Telphusa and coming across a spring, Python sprung forth and attacked him. Apollo slew the serpent with his bow and established the area of Delphi safe for humans and declared his ownership of the site. After burying the body, Apollo founded the oracle of Delphi. In a version of the myth according to Plutarch, by slaying Python, an offspring of Gaia, Apollo was guilty and incurred ritual pollution and he had to get purified and make amends. In order to do so Apollo founded the Pythian Games. Other versions of the legend state that Apollo established the games to celebrate his victory over Python. Originally, the Pythian Games were held as a m