Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-11-29
CEASSTC PUGILISM.
HOMER WAS THE FoRERuNNER OF
THE MODERN REPORTER,

How the Great Epic Poet Described
''SIngeing'' ATatch-Sonae OF His Copy
Would Be Rejected by the Average
Sporting Editor-His Wrestling Bouts.
Z re was time-between 1000 and
1900 wears ago-when il was as well
worth while for man TO be a champion
pugilist as it is now. Such a man was
then appreciated at his full value, even
taking as the measure of that value his
own opinion of himself. He who could
meet all comers at the Olympian games
ceased thereafter to he an ordinary NOR
tai, The government supported him for
life, he was exempt from taxes, he had
free pass to all public entertainments,
his name was engraved on marble tab
let's and his statue was erected in the
sacred grove Of Ellis, beside the gold and
ivory Jupiter Of Phidias, The games
themselves in which he had won honor
formed epochs in history, by reference
TO which the dates of other events were
fixed.
Homer. in describing the games held
by Achilles Mt the funeral of his friend
patroclus, tells how the hero put up as
prizes of the violent boxing match" a.
valuable mule, warranted sound, for the
victor and for the vanquished two
handled cup. 1t was TO be free to all,
go-as-you-please fight, and from all that
appears no betting was allowed.
Homer continues: Forthwith arose
man great and valiant and skilled in
boxing, Epeos, son of Panopeus, and
laid his hand on the sturdy mule and
said aloud: Let any one come and take
the two handled cup, but the mule say
none other of the Achaians shall take
for victory with his fists, for | claim to
be the best man here. will utterly
bruise nEne adversary's flesh and break
his bones; so let his friends abide to-
gether here and bear him forth when
vanquished by my hands,"
Our modern gladiator has publicly
voiced practically the same sentiment,
thus: II am John l.. Sullivan and can
lick any man in this crowd"
The poet goes on: "Alone arose against
him Euryalus, godlike man. son of
King Mecisteus. Tydides, famous with
tie spear. made ready Euryalus for the
fight cheering him with speech and
greatly desired for him victory. And
FIRST he cast about him a girdle, and
next gave him the well cut thongs Of
the hide of an OK of the field, and the
two boxers, being girt, went into the
midst If the ring, and both, lifting mp
their stalwart hands, fell to, and their
hands joined battle grievously. Then
was there terrible grinding of teeth, and
sweat flowed from all their limbs. And
noble Epeos came on, and, as the other
spied for an opening. smote him on the
cheek. nor could he longer stand, for his
fair limbs failed straightway under him.
And as when beneath the north winds
ripple fish leapeth on a tangle covered
beach, and then the black wave hideth
it, so leaped up Euryalus at that blow.
But great hearted Epeos took him in his
hands aud set him upright and his dear
comrades stood around him and bore
him Hom the ring with trailing feet,
splitting ont clotted blood, dropping his
head awry, and they set him down in his
swoon among them and themselves went
back and fetched the two handled cup"
EuFyalus was knocked ont in one
round. Such description of the similar
New Orleans contest would perhaps
serve people better than the elaborate
work of art which was prepared for
them. The poet does not descend to de-
tails-he does not give information
enough. But then perhaps Homer does
not aim to give information merely. He
seeks rather TO present picture, and
tie picture Is there.
1t will be noticed that there We're no
eclinches" in this struggle, but it is
otherwise in the next game which the
greatest of epic bards goes on to de-
scribe Achilles offers a tripod for use
before the FIRE as a.prize for the winner
III the '.grievous wrestling match. and,
speaking to the assembled Greeks,
opens the contest with these words.
Rise all who would enter this combat. >
"Thereupon arose great Ajax, son of
| lebanon, and Odysseus, of many wiles,
the crafty minded And the two being
girt went into the midst of the ring and
clasped each other in their arms with
mighty hands like gable rafters Of q
| lofty house which some famed crafts
man ioineth, that he may battle the
| winds force And their backs creaked,
gripped firmly nnder the vigorous hands,