Athletics, including running, was an important part of ancient Greek culture. Training was a way to keep fit, fast, and strong. Gymnasiums, where men and boys trained, were places to socialise and learn in. Athletics competitions were performed as offerings to gods and provided a chance to see who was the best. In the classical period, running competitions included: the stadion (one length of the track), the diaulos(down the track and back), the dolichos (12 lengths of the track), and the hoplitodromos (two lengths of the stadion whilst wearing armour).
In ancient Greek sport, you always needed the gods on your side! The gods didn’t usually give athletes help as direct as that in Hermes’ Favour, but the Greeks had plenty of myths set in the past in which gods helped heroes by giving them special things. In the Odyssey, the god Hermes helps Odysseus by giving him a special plant that protects him from the magic potions of Circe the witch:
“As he spoke he pulled the herb out of the ground and showed me what it was like. The root was black, while the flower was as white as milk; the gods call it Moly, and mortal men cannot uproot it, but the gods can do whatever they like.” Odyssey 10.6.
Hermes, god of thieves as well as the messenger god, is known as a bit of a rule breaker. An ancient hymn dedicated to him tells a story of how he stole Apollo’s cattle on the very day he was born. Just the god to help a favourite athlete win!
