Arizona republican., 1892-11-26
CLASSIC PUGILISM.
HOMER WAS THE FORERUNNER OF
 THE MODERN REPORTER

There was time-between 2,000 and 5000 yenrs ago-when it was as well worth while for man to be a champion pugilist as it is now. Such 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 corners at the Olympian games ceased thereafter to be an ordinary nor tai. The government supported him for life, he was exempt from taxes, he had a free pass to all public entertain ments, his name was engraved on marble tab lets 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 at 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 a two handled cup. It was to be free to all, go-as-you-please fight, and from all that appears no betting was allowed.
 Homer continues: Forthwith arose a 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 l claim to be the best man here. l will utterly bruise mine 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: "I am John L. Sullivan and can lick any man in this crowd"
 The poet goes on: "Alonearose against him Euryalus, godlike man, son of King Mecisteus. Tydides, famous with the 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 of the ring, and both, lifting up 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 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 and set him upright and his dear comrades stood around him and bore him from the ring with trailing feet, splitting ont clotted blood. drooplng his head awry, and they set him down in his oNDOll blAIOAS lAlNAll anu luCiuStlNtS "tllJ back and fetched the two handled cup"
 Euryalus was knocked out in one round, Such a 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 the picture is there.
 It will be noticed that there were no "clinches' in this struggle, but it is otherwise in the next game which the greatest of epic bards goes on to de- scribe. Achilles offers tripod for use before the fire as prize for the winner in 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 Telamon, 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 a lofty house which some famed crafts man joineth, that he may baffle the winds force. And their backs creaked, gripped firmly under the vigorous hands, and sweat ran down in streams, and many weals along their ribs and shoul- ders sprang up red with blood, while ever they strove amain for victory, to win the wrought tripod"
 After this sort of thing had gone on for awhile it began to irk the well greaved Achaians"-i. e., it made the crowd tired. To settle matters, Ajax, by agreement, first lifts Odysseus and tries to throw him, but he struck delft ly from behind the hollow of Alias knee and loosed his limbs and threw him down backward, and Odysseus fell upon his chest, and the people stared and wondered. Then in his turn much en- during, noble Odysseus tried to lift, and moved hin, a little from the ground, but could not lift him, so he crooked his knee within the others, and both fell on the ground near to each other and were soiled with dust"
 Then Achilles interferes 'sVictnry is