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Olympian 4

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Olympian 4, 'For Psaumis of Camarina', is an ode by the 5th century BC Greek poet Pindar.[1]

Background

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Coin of Camarina, c. 415–405 BC. Camarina on swan

Camarina had been founded by Syracuse in 599 BC.[1] Destroyed by Syracuse after a revolt, it was rebuilt by Hippocrates, to be destroyed once more by Gelon, and rebuilt in 461 by men of Gela, mainly with the aid of Psaumis.[1]

The Ode was probably in honour of a victory in the chariot-race in 452, a victory not of a tyrant, but of a free citizen.[1] Under the above date the List of Olympian victors in the Oxyrhynchus papyrus places σαμιου καμ [αρινου τεθριππον], where σαμιου is possibly a mistake for Ψαυμιδος.[2][1] The Ambrosian and the Paris MSS of Pindar state that Psaumis won the chariot race in 452 BC.[1]

Summary

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Attic amphora, 500–480 BC. Mule-charioteer

Zeus, the Thunderer, is invoked, Zeus whose daughters, the Seasons, had sent the poet to witness the Olympic games (1–3).[1] Men of worth are gladdened by the prosperity of their friends (4, 5).[1] May Zeus graciously welcome the chorus that celebrates the present triumph of Psaumis, and answer his further prayers (6–13).[1] He is keen in the breeding of horses; and is hospitable and patriotic (13–16).[3] For mortal men, trial is the true test.[4] Even so, by trial, Erginus, the Argonaut, was saved from the reproach of the Lemnian women, when, though his hair was grey, he won the race in armour (17–28).[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sandys, ed. 1915, p. 40.
  2. ^ Grenfell, ed. 1899, ii, p. 90.
  3. ^ Sandys, ed. 1915, pp. 40–41.
  4. ^ a b Sandys, ed. 1915, p. 41.

Sources

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  • Grenfell, Bernard P., ed. (1899). The Oxyrhynchus Papyri. Vol. 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 90.

Attribution:

Further reading

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