Ode 13:

Bacchylides – Ode 13:

Poem start: This ode commences by acknowledging the mighty Pytheas as the victor in the pankration. Pankration is basically a form of mixed martial arts where one can wrestle and throw punches at the same time. It’s somewhat of a no rules fight between two opponents. Little rule are established.

Ant. 2: Perseus is somewhat of a demi-god and the son of Zeus. Bacchylides is making a comparison between those who are the descendants of Perseus and the mighty Pytheas. He continues to explain how “so crushing is the hand … against the savage lion’s neck” (lines 46-48), suggesting that Pytheas indeed has the strength of the descendants of the demigod.

Ep. 2: Bacchylideas explains how “Victory have caused golden fame to flourish in the sight of many for a few men” (lines 59-62). Here he’s explaining how those mighty champions are indeed remembered amongst the masses. He explains the ever-lasting effects of victory and fame when that after death there is “renown undying”.

Str. 3: “Nemea” here is established as the site where the hero Heracles killed the Nemean lion. This fragment establishes where the competition was held, but also relates the victory with that of the hero who defeated a lion.

Ant. 3: Zeus is the son of the Kronos, the mightiest of the defeated Titans. Pytheas’ victory could not have occurred without either the blessing or consent of the god. This establishes that mortal victories are entirely up to the control of the gods. Pytheas’ victory is proclaimed by “many a high-vaunting girl”, establishing that he is now a desired by all the young women as a potential mate.

Ep. 3: This portion makes another comparison between the victor and Peleus and Telamon, two mythological warriors who are part divine. Their parents were Aiakos and Endeis.

Str. 4: Here there is an allusion to the heroes of the Trojan War. Achilles and Ajax were the mightiest warriors on the Greek side. Hector was the commander and hero for the Trojans.

Ant. 4: The Dardanians are the Trojans who fight from their high towers because of Achilles’ might on the battlefield.

Str. 5: Bacchylides establishes that when Achilles refused to fight because of his love for the attractive Briseis. The Trojans gained some bravery when hearing that Achilles had fled from Troy with his woman.

Ant. 5: Achilles’ flight caused “rousing fear in the Danaans”. His departure affected the Greeks and with the help of the gods Apollo and Ares the Trojans “slaughtered men … under Hektor’s hand”. Perhaps there is a comparison between the disastrous effects of Achilles’ departure, which suggest his mighty prowess, and the power of Pytheas as a fighter.

Ep. 6: Menandros is some kind of coach or honorable teacher. Bacchylides attributes some of Pytheas’ success to Menandros’ “assisting [of] athletes”.

Ep. 7: This final portion of the ode gives praise to Lampon, the father of Pytheas for his hospitality. It may be established here that this great ode was something Lampon commissioned Bacchylides to create. Here he is perhaps ensuring that Lampon will indeed pay him for his services.