# Pindar and Anacreon/Pindar/Olympic Odes/8

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Celebrating the victory of Alcimidas of Aegina in the Olympic Games of 460 B. C., and incorporating the myths of Aeacus and Troy.
"The inner number, placed at the end of the several paragraphs, shows the corresponding line of the original." [ note on p. 17 ]
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THE EIGHTH OLYMPIC ODE.
TO THE YOUTH ALCIMEDON, ON HIS VICTORY IN THE PALÆSTRA, GAINED IN THE EIGHTEENTH OLYMPIAD; HIS BROTHER TIMOSTHENES, VICTOR IN THE NEMEAN GAMES; AND TO THEIR PRÆCEPTOR, OR ALIPTA, MELESIAS.
ARGUMENT.
This ode begins with an address to Olympia; after which Pindar proceeds to congratulate Alcimedon and Timosthenes, the former on his Olympic, and the latter on his recent Nemean victory.—Then follow the praises of the victor's native island Ægina, from its founder Æacus, a theme which appears to be always grateful to our poet, who relates the fables connected with its origin; as well as the assistance of that hero, which was engaged by Apollo and Neptune when building the walls of Troy.—The praises of Melesias are then sung, and the Blepsiadæ, a tribe of Æginetans, is recorded, as well as the memory of the victor's departed relatives, Iphion and Callimachus.—The ode concludes with the expression of good wishes.
Olympia, mother of heroic games, Whose golden wreath the victor's might proclaims, Great queen of truth!—thou whose prophetic band From victims blazing in the sacred fire Jove's sovereign will, the lightning's guide, inquire, What favour'd mortal shall the crown command 6 Which bids the anxious hour of contest close, And gives to virtuous toil the guerdon and repose. 9
The gods above with favouring ear The prayers of pious mortals hear. 10 ​Ye woody shades of Pisa's grove, That o'er Alphéus' waters bend, From you the wreath which victory wove, And the triumphant hymn descend; Receive the pomp and festal song 15 Which justly to your fame belong. 14
The deeds of glory and renown Mankind with well-earn'd chaplets crown; And by th' indulgent powers of heaven Success in various paths is given. 20 Timosthenes, the influence shed By Jove around thy youthful head, In Nemea's plain effulgent shone; While Cronium's hill return'd the sound, What time Olympia's chaplet crown'd 25 Thy victor brow, Alcimedon. On that fair form and lovely face His glorious deeds shed no disgrace. Triumphant from the wrestler's toil By glory fired and filial pride, 30 His loved Ægina's naval isle With high renown he dignified. Where Themis, the lorn stranger's shield, Assessor of protecting Jove, Her righteous sceptre joys to wield, 35 Adored by more than mortal love. 30
Where nations meet and various laws prevail, 'Tis hard with even poise to hold the scale. But the immortal gods' behest Ordain'd this ocean-girded land, 40 Sure refuge of each wandering guest, Firm as the column's shaft to stand. (And oh! may future ages join Unwearied to assist their great design!) 38
Hence ruled by chiefs of Doric race, 45 Who from great Æacus their empire trace. ​On him, to raise the towers of Ilium's wall, Wide-ruling Neptune and Latona's son Deign'd in the mighty work for aid to call. Those towers which, when her destined course was run, 50 Tremendous war's depopulating sway Should on the ground in smoky ruin lay. 47
When now complete the stately pile appear'd, Their hostile forms three azure dragons rear'd; But from the threaten'd wall with gasping breath 55 Two fell exhausted in the pangs of death. One with terrific shout advancing still, Apollo thus pronounced the boded ill: "Uprear'd, great hero, by thy hand, Prostrate shall Pergamus be laid; 60 (For true will future ages prove The omen sent from thundering Jove;) But not without thy children's aid— What by the fathers is begun, Shall in the fourth succeeding age be done." 59 65
Thus having clear'd the fatal sign, Sure presage of the will divine, To Xanthus and the Amazonian band, Whose guiding rein the generous steeds obey, And where flows Ister through the Scythian land, His flaming chariot urged its rapid way. 71 But he who wields the trident's might, His course to sea-beat Isthmus bent, And with his golden coursers' flight Hither great Æacus he sent 75 To view from Corinth's lofty brow His solemn festival below. 69
But no delight to men secure Shall in this earthly state endure. ​If of the beardless train I raise 80 The hymn that sings Melesias' praise, Let not the tongue of Envy rail, Nor with sharp stone my fame assail. His valiant deeds in Nemea's plain Alike inspire the poet's strain— 85 And next the great pancratium's meed, Which to the strife of heroes is decreed. 77
His triumph is our surest guide, Whose feet the arduous paths have tried; But light their mind and counsel vain 90 Whose skill could ne'er the palm obtain. Who tells his own victorious deeds To others points the path of fame, And shows what glorious lot succeeds His conquest in each sacred game. 95 So thine the thirtieth garland won Adds to thy teacher's fame, Alcimedon. 87
With fortune and his manly arm to aid, He sent four vanquish'd striplings back in shame, Darken'd their homeward path with sorrow's shade, And gave to slandering infamy their name. 101 'Twas this his grandsire's age inspired With vigorous youth's returning breath; For by the victor's glory fired His mind forgot the hour of death. 96 105
Be mine the task, Blepsiadæ, to raise A record worthy of your deathless praise. ​Ye whom the verdant wreath six times decreed, Again encircles with the victor's meed. And even the dead will joy to share 110 This tribute of the poet's care: Since the bright actions of the just Survive unburied in the kindred dust. 105
There let Iphion's tongue proclaim Callimachus, to charm thine ear, 115 The tale which Hermes' daughter, Fame, Gave him, while yet on earth, to hear. That Jove once more had deigned to grace With Pisa's crown their favour'd race. His blessings may he still impart, 120 And ward disease's bitter dart! Forbear amid the happy state Discordant Nemesis to throw, But give secure their life to flow, 124 And crown their country's prosperous fate.
* ↑ Who anointed the combatants, and prepared them for the ing.
* ↑ Telamon and Neoptolemus.
* ↑ Statius appears to have had this highly poetical passage in his mind when, speaking of the return of the worsted and dejected Pelasgi from the field, he says—(Theb. xi. 759:) — "Eunt taciti passim, et pro funere pulchro Dedecorem amplexi vitam reditusque pudendos. Nox favet, et grata profugos amplectitur umbra."