Smyrna times., 1902-05-21
COLUMN OF INTEREST TO
SMYRNA PUBLIC SCHOOL
ESSAY ON GAMES WRITTEN BYA MEM.
BER OF THE MIDDLE CLASS.
Religious Games of the Greeks and the RO-
mans aud Their Comparisons With the
Games of To-day.


This week we present to the public an ex-
ample of the essay work of the middle
class. There has been a marked improve
ment in the essay work of the school and
we hope from time to time to present such
articles as will show the work accomplished.
]. p. BURDETTE.
In ancient times there were many
kinds of games, and among the most
prominent were the sacred games of
the Greeks. They had their origin in
the belief that the souls of the dead
were gratiied by such scenes as de-
lighted them during their earthly life.
Games were played at the tomb, or
about the pyre of the dead. These
gradually developed into religious fes-
tivals, observed by an entire commun-
ity, and were celebrated at, or near,
the shrine of the god in whose honor
they were instituted, the idea being
that the gods were present at the
play, taking delight in the various
contests and exercises.
Among these festivals four acquired
celebrity. These were: the Olympian,
in honor of the god Zeus; the Pythian,
in honor of Apollo; the Neman, IN hon
or of Zeus; and the Isthmean, in hon
or of Poseidon. OF these four great
festivals, the Olympthian secured the
greatest renown. The contests con-
sisted of foot-races, boxing, wrestling
and other athletic games. Later char
lot racing was introduced and soon be-
came the most popular of all the con-
tests. The competitors had to be of
Hellenic race, unblemished by any sin
against the gods, or against the state.
Spectators from all parts of the world
crowded at these games.
The Victor a Subject of tierO.WOrship.
The victor was crowned with a gar
land of Olive leaves, heralds proclaimed
his name abroad, his native place re-
ceived him as a cOnqueror, his statues
were erected and sometimes even di-
vine honor and worship were accorded
him. Poets and authors We'd with
one another in exalting the name and
deeds of him who had reflected undy-
ing honor upon his native state.
These games exerted an immense in
huence upon the literary, social AID
religious life of Hellas. They enkin-
died among the states a great literary
taste and enthusiasm, for in all four
- of the games, excepting the Olymp-
tniau, poetry, oratOry and history
were introduced During these festi-
vals the poets and historians read their
most famous works, and the extra
ordinary honors awarded to the vic
tons, stimulated the contestants to do
their very best.
These contests had a refining infu-
ence upon the manner of the people,
turning their thoughts from war, fOl
during the month in which the re-
ligious games were held it was sacri.
ligeous to engage in war or blood
shed.
The Religious Games Of the Romans.
The Romans had a good many re
- liglous games, similar in character t.
the Greek games, and springing from
the same source. But towards tn
close of the republic these games los
much of their religious character, ant
at last became degraded into mer
brutal shows, given by ambition
political leaders for the purpose @
winning popularity. In the last cen
tury of the Roman republic, gladia
torial combats became favorite spoI
of the amphitheatre. Training school
were established from which fighter
were hired out for private or publ
entertainments. 1t was the custoi
for ambitious men to provide show
and contests for the amusement {
their supporters. Often all mannt
of wild beasts would be thrown I'M
the arena together, and the heartle
spectators would watch with deligl
the savage beasts, as with fearf
roars and howls of fury, they tore oil
another in pieces. The sight satisf'
the people for a while; but they 500
became more blood-thirsty, and
satisfy them human beings were toss
in among the beasts, only to be
stantly killed. After awhile priso
ers and slav es were cast into the ri
and compelled to fight one anoth'
and fierce were the battles, for tn
had been told that those who we
victorious in a certain number Of &C
tests should go free, and this prom
stimulated them to do their very be
1t Is said that the dying were fore
on to fight with red-hot irons. In
latter part of the empire not OF
slaves and prisoners fought; but