Olympic Victors and the Popularity of the Olympic Games in the Imperial Period

Abstract

Attempts to chart the popularity of the OG by counting the numbers of inscriptions commemorating victories. Morettin lists about 969-983 Olympic victors, wh, (is about -22-25% of the victors that must have been there). There is a marked shift in the origins of the victors: Italy/Sicily were dominant in Archaic Cl period; Mainland Greece remained the most important until 300, and decline afterwards (18) Victors form the East show opposite pattern: w peak in early Imperial Period, w victors coming from AM, Syria and Egypt pattern suggest: shift, and overall declien in the imporatnce of commemoration, w slight raly in Early imperial period. Q of representativeness of the recorded victors: NB Moretti records literary events as well (w preference for early victors) and epigraphic habit, which presents a peak in Early imperial period. suggestion that events (esp. equestrian events) may not have been celebrated continuously. attempts to estaimate lifeline of indd events [flawed?] general idea that since OG continued until 4 CE, many/most events must have been celebrated somehow striking: the comemoration incrfeasingl;y took place in home town, and less in Elis: (p. 29-30), wh may be connected with the rise of local fetivals [ or w epigraphic habits locally.] discussion of local OG's estimate atb least 33 local Olympic games founded in imperial perio\d, the emphasis is here 2CE onwards! seem to include heavy events, but equestrian events may be absent; occasional inclusion of musical events that were not part of original set up (33) imitation of offices and organizational structure; useful list of local Olympics