Bacchylides Ode 13

Ant. 2: 
Bacchylides follows the structure of a victory ode. He calls upon a deed of a hero--Herakles(Perseues'  descendant) and draws a comparison to the power of the athlete--Pytheas. Here Bacchylides draws upon the story of Herakles's first labor--killing the Nemean lion. "Flashing bronze" refers to Herakles' bronze sword. "unapproachable bulk" refers to the Nemean lion or its skin. Although the sword is able to kill mortals, it could not penetrate the tough skin of the beast. In the end Herakles killed it by strangling it with his hands. This is an appropriate myth to use as the strangling is similar to the sport(pankration) that Pytheas masters. It also elevates the victory of Pytheas to be comparable to that of a mythological hero.

Ep. 2:
Transition from a specific myth reference to a more general message that applies in the Greek society. Here Bacchylides delivers the message that life is ephemeral, and yet victory lasts beyond death.

Str. 3
Transitions from the general message to extolling the specific example of Pytheas' undying victory. "Nemea" was mentioned as it is both where the contest was held and the place where Herakles accomplished his first labor, again drawing a connection between Pytheas and mythological hero. "O son of Lampon"--Lampon is the father of Pytheas. Mentioning the athlete's family member is a common feature in victory odes. In addition, Lampon might expect to be mentioned as he commissioned this poem.

Ant. 3
Son of Kronos refers to Zeus, who is the greatest of all gods. Bachylides mentions Zeus to augment the victory of Pytheas. He also depicts a scene where young women all exult at his winning to strengthen the level of his achievement.

Ep. 3
Refers to Endeis(wife of Aiakos) and Aiakos(son of Zeus and Aigina), to introduce their son Peleus, and further in the next stanza(Str. 4), Peleus' son Achilles. This serves as a good transition from Aigina(the athlete's hometown as well as the eponymous nymph) to the next stanza.

Str. 4--Ep. 5
Employs the "concentric ring form", a structural form common in archaic Greece.
Str. 4 talks about Ajax(A) taking the leading role in the Greek warriors to fight against Hektor from Troy, after Achilles(Peleus' son) was overwhelmed by anger(B)
Ant. 4
Goes into details of Achilles' anger, where he withdraws from the battle and gives previously fearful Trojan confidence(C). "Nereid's son" refers to Achilles. Nereid, sea god, is Thetis' father, and Thetis is Achilles' mother.
Ep. 4
Transition from violent "north wind" to "south wind" that favors mankind. Alluding to the transition of mood of the Trojans after learning that Achilles withdraws.
Str. 5
Explains the story behind Achilles' anger and withdrawal(B')--"they"(Agamemnon, the commander of Greek warriors) took away Briseis, the maiden whom he promised Achilles before.
Ant. 5&Ep. 5
"They" are the Trojans. Supported by Ares, God of War, Apollo, the powerful Sun God, the Trojan come to the shore and begin attacking Greek ships(A').

Ep. 5&Str. 6
"They are destined to make Skamandro's eddying waters crimson"--The Trojans, though at the time gain the upper hand at the absence of Achilles, are destined to be killed by the Greek later on the shore of Skamandro, when Achilles resumes fighting after the death of his young friend Patroklos.

Ant.6
Transitions out to a more general reference to "she", who is possibly Endeis, Aiakos' wife, who guards peace and shows glory.

Ep. 6
Transition to celebrating the athlete again, also mentioning his trainer Menandros.

Str. 7
Relate to the broader audience, encouraging people to praise Pytheas' skill and bravery. Touching again on the point that noble things will endure time.

Ant. 7
Transition to "myself", which is Bacchylides.

Ep. 7
Concluding the poem and addressing again to Pytheas' father Lampon with great respect. The "gift" refers to the poem itself, even though it might not be actually a gift, since it is commissioned.