The God of Olympus

by Matthew Argyle

  So, in secret, and at night, while they were eating in their house, Philoctetes told Hercules of what he was to next. “I am very pleased with you Hercules. You have helped many people in this city and given them what they need—a particle of hope. But now you must do something else, for Greece is far more than Sparta, and you are ready for your next test.”

  Hercules looked excited. “What is required of me?”

  Philoctetes pulled out his old map of Greece and placed it on the table. While you have been doing heroic deeds here in Sparta, I have been thinking of a way that you may make a great difference in the world, and I think I have finally found it. You see, this land is now a very divided and corrupt land. Between the farms and villages lies two great cities—Sparta and Athens. Both are very different, but yet pay homage to the same Gods. If we are to repel Hades and the war that is sure to come upon the world of Greece, you must find some way to unite these two great city-states. Then the rest of Greece will follow. For too long has Hades taken advantage of the people here. You must do something to garnish great attention.”

  “Like what?” asked Hercules. He could hardly think of anything that he could do that would draw that much attention.

  “Participate in the Olympic Games,” said Philoctetes. “Right now, as we speak, a man by the name of Pericles, a much respected gentleman and ruler of Athens, will be journeying to Olympia, to the north-west of here to preside over the Olympic Games. The games will be an opportunity for you to show your great speed, strength, and skill and perhaps gain enough praise to be invited into Pericles’ house. Pericles likes making powerful friends and will want you as an ally. There, with Pericles, you may be able to reveal your true identity and mission. Pericles is a wise man and may aid you in your effort.” Suddenly Philoctetes’ voice went silent. Hercules knew something was wrong.

  “What is it?” asked Hercules.

  “Playing in the Olympic Games will not be easy,” said Philoctetes. “It is said that the games were created to prepare all men for war and there is one man, above all others, who may challenge you greatly. His name is Milo of Croton. He is notorious for his fierceness as a wrestler and Olympic athlete. They say he possesses a strength and agility beyond that of any athlete that has ever played in the games. He will be most difficult to win.”

  “How did he get so strong?” asked Hercules.

  “It was said that when he was a young child he began lifting and carrying newborn calves on his back…then later bulls themselves. He spent his entire life training for the Olympic Games, and making his body prepared to win. Legends say that he carried his own statue, made of solid bronze, to Olympia, where it now stays. People will route for Milo, and Milo will be a challenge unlike anything you have had before. But come…let us not talk about these things now. You must get rest, and prepare for your journey northward. You must take Pegasus, but do so quickly and quietly. We do not want people to recognize Pegasus as the mythical creature he is, for then they will desire to have him and will take him from you. When you arrive you must enlist yourself quickly. The rest of the contestants have no doubt already enlisted. And you will have no chariot to ride in the first event, the chariot racing, so you will not be able to win the first event. You will need to win three out of the other four events. Hercules you must know that the Olympics is a time for men to think of themselves as Gods. It is a rough affair for a hero, but one that you nonetheless must endure.”

  “But what about you?”

  “I will catch up to you later, for I have vowed not to ride beasts,” said Philoctetes, as he looked over at Pegasus. “Even ones as gentle and handsome as your Pegasus. No, the ride you make north must be of you only. Fly with all haste, but do not let them see Pegasus else he may be threatened.”

  Hercules nodded. He knew what he had to do. Growing up in Greece he heard about the Olympic Games and learned much about the games. But he had never thought about playing them. Now it was all about to become a reality.

  Chapter 6: The Olympic Games

  Hercules said his farewell to Philoctetes and, with Pegasus’ wings again covered with a cloth, he led Pegasus quietly through the city. Once they were out of the city he tore the cloth off of Pegasus and he spread his wings out with grandeur. This seemed like the first time he had done so in a long time.

  Hercules looked around, both on land and in the sky, but didn’t see anyone. “Come Pegasus! Fly fast! We must go to Olympia!” Pegasus seemed overjoyed to fly again and, with Hercules on his back, shot himself up into the skies. Pegasus seemed overjoyed to finally be able to fly again, as he soared up and down through the clouds.

  After a short flight, around mid-day, the two watched as Olympia came into view. Hercules knew that Pegasus could not be seen in public and so he motioned for him to land. After they landed he told Pegasus to remain hidden in the trees.

  “I couldn’t stand if something happened to you!” said Hercules. He ran his hands through Pegasus’ neck. “Good boy! Stand watch!” Pegasus looked sad that he could not be there to watch Hercules, but he realized that it was meant to be. He nodded his head slowly. “Do not worry Pegasus, for I will need you greatly before the end!”

  Then Hercules took off, dashing through the land until he arrived at the landlocked valley of Olympia. The first thing he noticed about Olympia was the awful heat. It was about mid-August, and the fall was just emerging. Flies flew all around him. The Olympic village there was not as grand as Hercules expected it to be. Small tents, dens, and improvised wood shacks dotted the landscape. Many people there were venders who made it a point to make as much money as possible selling food and other such necessities at high prices. Thousands of voices filled the air, as all prepared for this event. Wandering throughout the streets were a bunch of hired policemen, who often kept control of the event with great ruthlessness. They were known as “whipbearers.”

  Here poets came to recite their latest creation. Artists came to paint the great athletes, or anyone who would give them enough money. Astronomers were there to display their latest discovery about the cosmos. Even philosophers were there to discuss the deep things of the world with other great intellects. Hercules felt overwhelmed at first, for he had never been in such a grand and diverse association of Greeks.

  The Olympic Games themselves would only last three days and Hercules was very grateful for this.

  The arrangement of Olympia itself was fairly simple. The Temple of Zeus stood in the center. Then to the east was the stadium, and to the south of that was the Hippodrome. To the north was the Temple of Hera. There were many other buildings there, but are not worth mentioning in their entirety.

  Hercules knew he would be at a disadvantage from the start. For one, he had not prepared as long for this Olympic Contest as anyone else. Another reason was because he would not be able to participate in the chariot race because he owned no chariot. This would mean that Milo would have, after the very first event, garnished almost all the cheers of the audience.

  After Hercules had registered he made his way towards the other contestants. In order to even compete in the Olympic Contest Hercules had to pass an exhaustive screening process, supervised by Pericles, but ultimately orchestrated by the Hellanodikai, fierce Greek judges. Hundreds came to compete.

  There was when he first saw Pericles. Although Pericles was not a king he was a man who exerted a great amount of influence over the democratic Greek city-state. He was in his fifties, but already had grey hair. His hair was short. His eyes were a dark brown. He wore an elegant white Greek chiton, embroidered with fine and rare gems.

  Then, in front of him were the twelve Hellanodikai, who were busying examining the athletes. Each of the Hellanodikai were dressed in their traditional florid purple cloak. The chief Hellanodikai, a man in his mid-fifties with olive skin, short golden brown hair and a short beard, came to Hercules and examined his body. “Where is your chariot and your rider…” He looked down at his board for the name of the contestant…“Hercules…”
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  “I have none,” replied Hercules.

  “But you will not be able to participate in the chariot races. You still desire to play?”

  Hercules nodded. “Upon my grave!”

  The chief Hellanodikai consulted the rules they were to uphold for the game, but did not see any rule prohibiting Hercules from playing simply because he could not play in one event. “Very well!” exclaimed the chief Hellanodikai. “You may play in the rest of the events.”

  Then came the “parade” or “inspection.” Athletes lined up before the judges for various checks. Should they compete among the men or boys? Hercules was chosen to compete among the men.

  Then the chief Hellanodikai removed his hood and declared loudly to all the competitors, “You who have worked hard enough to qualify for Olympia, ridding from your lives whatever is idle and cowardly—proceed. Those who have not trained themselves to this level—let them wander where they please.”

  Then commenced the official “taking of the oath.” Those who were to participate in the Olympic Games moved to the Council House to the south of the Temple of Zeus and, in the presence of the statue of Zeus, made the oath—an oath that they would play fairly and honorably in the games. It was a solemn oath, an oath that was first spoken by one of the Theokoloi, or servants of the Gods. Then it was spoken by the judges. Finally, it was later repeated by all of the Olympic participants. Hercules, of course, looked up at the statue and saw his father, which helped remind him that he was completing his father’s great mission by participating in these games.

  After this was completed the Theokoloi commanded that a great wild boar be brought to the altar in front of the statue of Zeus. There the wild boar was sacrificed.

  After this the Olympic Games officially began. People from all over Greece flooded in to see the first grand event—the chariot race. The chariot race was held, not in the stadium, but in the Hippodrome, a racecourse to the south. The racecourse was surrounded by natural and artificial banks for the ordinary spectators, while a special place was reserved for the twelve Hellanodikai and Pericles on the west side of the bank. In total, the racecourse measured 780 meters long and 320 meters wide.

  The race began with a procession into the Hippodrome, while a herald announced the names of the drivers and owners. Hercules knew the race would be dangerous, and many would be injured from this activity. Lots were cast for the best lane, and a total of forty-five chariots lined up for this event. Each chariot had two large rear wheels, was pulled by four horses, and had one small spot for its driver to stand. All seemed about average in size and eloquence except for Milo’s chariot, which was at least twice the size and strength of anyone else’s chariot. All the drivers wore long robes. Once all the chariots lined up there was a short introduction to each of the riders and their owners (if needed). Eventually Hercules watched as a large man with long hair stood up from his position in the chariot. The announcer yelled, “Welcome back our returning champion, Milo of Croton!” Most of the audience cheered for Milo. Milo smiled as he stood up in his chariot, raised his massive fists, and waved them in the air. Milo, unlike many racers, was both the owner and driver.

  Pericles stood up from his spot just above the Hellanodikai and raised his hands to gather the attention of all present. By tradition Pericles had come to preside over the Olympic Games, and so, when he spoke he spoke with great eloquence. The stadium was silent for a few moments as Pericles stood up with his hands extended outward over the audience. Pericles smiled.

  “My friends!” declared Pericles. “My fellow Greeks! Those who have come from far away to Olympia—welcome! Some of you are philosophers, some athletes, some astronomers, some poets, and some ordinary laborers. Some of you are from Sparta, some from Athens, and some from the farthest reaches of Greece. While we are all different we all have one thing in common—we prize greatness! We prize the wonders of the physical body! So, what I mean to say is let the Olympic Games begin!”

  After Pericles had concluded these words the entire audience got up on their feet and cheered. Then the chariot races were about to begin. Lots were cast over who would get what lane. Hercules merely sat in the audience. He looked over throughout the thousands that had gathered to watch, but could not see Philoctetes. He wondered if he made it.

  Then a horn blew loudly and the race began. Milo, who possessed the strongest of horses, whipped them hard and they ran fast and strong. He started out behind, but he quickly came back. Many other chariots couldn’t handle the curves and ended up clashing into another chariot, sending their riders’ hurling forward. One went into the ground nearby. Another rider flew into another chariot and caused another rider to throw his chariot off course, causing a massive collision. It was Milo’s great chariot and horses, however, that did not fall or fail. They navigated every turn with excellent precision. Shouts came out as Milo won the race. “Milo! Milo! Milo!”

  Meanwhile Hercules looked onward, knowing what was to pass, knowing that he would have to win three out of the next four events to be victorious.

  Before the first day came to an end there would be the next event—the Pentathlon. And it was here that Hercules was to reveal himself as a great athlete. There Hercules saw Philoctetes watching with eagerness as Hercules would attempt to make his glorious appearance. And make his appearance he did.

  Hercules was not so obviously muscular. He was fit, but in no way as large or intimidating as Milo of Croton. For the Pentathlon, the first one to win three of five of the events would be victorious. The five challenges of the Pentathlon were, first, the footraces, then the jump, the discus-throw, javelin-throw, and finally the wrestling. However, for this event it was a best of five contests, so to win the first three events meant you didn’t need to play in the final two. And this is exactly what Hercules did.

  He amazed the crowd as he easily won the footrace. Besides the fact that he still had much of his god-like abilities, he ran so much as a young boy and in his training under Philoctetes, that he easily beat out Milo and the other competitors.

  The jumping was also easy for him. Most athletes gained extra forward momentum by swinging metal dumb-bells, or halters, in their hands. It was not a single leap for height or a single leap for length. Instead, it was a series of three leaps, with the last leap landing the athletes into a great sand pit. Hercules amazed everyone as he was able to jump far without using any metal dumb-bells or halters in his hands. The total of his three jumps was over 50 feet, setting a new record. His legs were strong and he learned from Philoctetes how to jump onto enemies with swiftness and skill. In the discus throw a disc would be launched from a low podium called a balbis. Distances were marked by wooden pegs. Hercules used his great strength and balance to hurl the disc a few feet farther than Milo’s. Hercules had won the Pentathlon!

  After Hercules’ performance in the Pentathlon the audience was fairly quiet. They did not know how to react to this new competitor. He even began to draw the attention of Pericles, who leaned over to the chief Hellanodikai and said, “Who is this new competitor?”

  The chief Hellanodikai took a moment and checked the registration. “His name is Hercules.”

  “Hercules did you say?” asked Pericles. The chief Hellanodikai nodded. “An interesting name.” Pericles, of course, knew of the great Olympian hero of old—Herakles. His first thought was of course, that Hercules had lied about his name. After the Pentathlon victory Pericles was unusually watchful and wary of this new competitor named “Hercules” and so he secretly ordered the chief Hellanodikai to keep a watch on Hercules to make sure that he was not cheating. The chief Hellanodikai did what Pericles asked. He secretly dispatched three Hellanodikai to watch Hercules, not only when he competed, but during all hours of the day when he did not compete. The only time that he was not watched was at night, when even the Hellanodikai needed to sleep.

  For most athletes the night was spent sleeping in a cozy tent or house, but for Hercules it was spent sleeping under a tree. There he was able
to stare up at the night sky and, for a long period of time, thought of his father and mother, Zeus and Hera. Eventually he fell asleep after which Hercules woke up he took a long jog up Kronos Hill to the north of Olympia. While on top of Kronos Hill he looked down and over Olympia. There he watched the sun rise, and there he sat quietly thinking about his parents—both his mortal and God parents. He wished he could be with them and learn more about them.

  But now was not the time. So he ran down the hill and there prepared for the next Olympic event that was to occur in a few hours—the footraces. Hercules was not concerned about this event. He knew the speed at which he could run. And in every single race he amazed the crowd with his speed. Even when he was tired, or the other athletes tried to push him or trip him he would not lose and did not lose a single footrace.

  Milo would often look onward in wonder at this mysterious man named Hercules, who, in between events would not be practicing wrestling, boxing, or such activities with the other athletes. Instead, he was off far away from the center of Olympia playfully wrestling lions and other such animals. All the other athletes thought that this was quite odd, but didn’t seem to take much heed to it.