Athletic contests in the Iliad and the Odyssey
In the Iliad, Achilles organized funerary contests
in honor of his dead friend Patroclus.  First, he set up the
prizes for the winners: beautiful slavegirls, horses, oxen,
mules, tripods, cauldrons, gold and iron. The games took place
near the tomb of Patroclus. The spectators participated actively
in the event by cheering and betting on certain athletes.
First we are given a detailed and vivid description of the
chariot racing including the names of the five charioteers,
all Achaean heroes, who fought against the Trojans. From Nestor's
advice to his son, Antilochos, we learn the rules and tricks
that an athlete should know in order to avoid errors. Starting
off, the athletes rise a cloud of dust and shout in order
to urge their horses to speed up, while the spectators bet
on the possible winner. The readers of the Iliad
read excited how the best athlete forfeited his chances of
winning when his chariot broke. The reader also witnesses
Antilochos' illegal manoeuvre at the expense of Menelaos.
The dialogue between the two heroes is the first public apology
made for violating the rules.
Boxing is the following contest. Achilles announces the prizes and two heroes, dressed in lion cloths, fight for them. The fight ends with a good move from Epeios, who rushes to raise his opponent immediately after the end of the game. Wrestling is next, where Odysseus and Ajax participate. The winner is the one who will be the first to throw the other on the ground. We are told of the different techniques in trying to throw the opponent on the ground, such as putting one's knees between the feet of his opponent and therefore causing him to lose his balance. The fight ends abruptly when Achilles proclaims both athletes' virtue and calls it a tie.
Odysseus competes with Ajax and Antilochos in running. Odysseus is proclaimed winner as he ran more lightly by raising his hands and feet higher. Armed combat, the most dangerous of all games is held between Ajax and Diomedes, both dressed in full armor. Here, the spectators attempt an intervention when the game becomes dangerous for the athletes' lives. The game session ends with discus throwing, archery with a target and javelin. The javelin contest, however, doesn't take place at all since Achilles recognizes Agamemnon's virtue and proclaims him winner, being out of everyone's league.
In Odyssey, Alkinoos, the king of the Phaeacians, announces the beginning of the games in honour of his guest, Odysseus. Before they start, they eat and drink listening to Demodokos singing Odysseus adventures. This is followed by the contests of racing, wrestling, chariot racing, discus-throwing and boxing. This time Phaeacians citizens take part as well but no prizes are awarded. We learn that the Phaeacians are very good in running, dancing, and seamanship but inferior in other sports. This could probably mean an indication of sport specialization.
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