Delfi in Phocis, Thessaly and Central Greece, Greece — Ελλάδα (Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula)
The Stadium of Delphi
TO ΣTAΔIO
— Le Stade —
English:
The Stadium of Delphi hosted the athletic contests of the Pythian religious festival. Initially, in the 5th century BC, a racing track was formed by leveling the ground; the spectators would sit on the ground. In the 2nd century AD, under the Roman emperor Hadrian, the Stadium was ameliorated with funds of the wealthy Athenian Herodes Atticus: the marble seats (1) and the monumental three-arched entrance (2) visible today were added at that time.
The starting point (3) and the finishing posts (4) of the track (5) were marked by a row of stone slabs with square holes. It is estimated that 17 or 18 runners could compete in a race. The distance between start and finish was one Pythian stade, which is equivalent to 178.35 m.
The seats intended for the judges (6), at the north side of the Stadium, were equipped with backrests.
The monumental arched entrance at the east side of the Stadium, in front of the starting point of the race track, is unique to Greece. The three arches were supported by four pillars; the two central pillars had niches for statues.
The Pythian athletic contests were preformed in the Stadium on the fifth day of the festivities, which lasted overall six to eight days. The Pan-Hellenic Pythian Games were second in importance only to the Olympic Games. The Pythian winners were awarded with a palm tree twig or a wreath of laurels. Some of the events preformed in the Stadium are the dolichos (a long-distance running race of 24 stades), the stadion (one-stade race), the diaulos (two-stade race), and the pentathlon, a complex competition which included race, wrestling, jump, discus throwing and javelin throwing. The athletic contests were completed with the hoplite, a race of 2-4 stades during which the athletes ran wearing only a helmet and greaves and carrying a shield.
Erected by Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Man-Made Features • Sports.
Location. 38° 28.926′ N, 22° 29.832′ E. Marker is in Delfi, Thessaly and Central Greece, in Phocis. Marker can be reached from Athanasiou Diakou (Route EO 48), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delfi, Thessaly and Central Greece 330 54, Greece. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The (Delphi) Theatre (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Cemeteries of Delphi (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Theater District (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Navel (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Treasury of the Sikyonians and Siphnians (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Halos (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Temple of Apollo (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Altar of Chiots Area (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delfi.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.