Special Honors

"Truly blessed is he who is surrounded by constant good repute...." Pindar, Olympic Ode, ca. 464 BC

Upon their return to their homeland, the victors of the games received monetary awards and honorary titles. Monetary awards ranged from low to high prizes. It is said that some cities gave victors prizes of five talents.

Those who had won were comparable to heroes and deities, thus, they deserved excessive honors. Honorary distinctions and privileges varied from city to city. Usually the entry to the city was festive and glorious, with the assembled crowd throwing flowers and leaves. The victor visited the temple of the patron deity of the city, sacrificing and offering his crown.

A feast followed the rituals. The victors had the right to dine free for the rest of their life at the Prytaneion. They earned a seat of honor at the public games and, after the mid 5th century BC, they were excluded from taxation. Their names were inscribed on stelai [stone slabs] in public spaces. In Sparta the victors were entitled to fight along with the kings at war, a honorary distinction. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, privileges increased and the Roman boys who had won at the Olympic Games could become members of the council.

The victor of the Olympic games remained famous forever. In the sacred place of Olympia, the victors erected their statues bearing their names, family names and their cities. The victory ode ("epinician"), written by famous poets on the victor's commission, ensured the immortal fame of the victor. Finally, these athletes who had accomplished other achievements for themselves and their cities were recognized as heroes.