Pythian Games

American  

plural noun

1. one of the great national festivals of ancient Greece, held every four years at Delphi in honor of Apollo.

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Pythian Games British  

plural noun

1. (in ancient Greece) the second most important Panhellenic festival, celebrated in the third year of each Olympiad near Delphi. The four-year period between celebrations was known as a Pythiad ( ˈpɪθɪˌæd )

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Etymology

Origin of Pythian Games

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

According to myth, the god Apollo started these games at Delphi after killing Python, the dragon living there; hence, they were named the Pythian Games in recognition of this act.

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2016

During the Pythian Games, a competition in music and dance was held at the same time as the athletic contests, an ancient equivalent to “American Idol” cum “Dancing With the Stars.”

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2016

The most renowned among the numerous festivals held in honor of Apollo were, without exception, the Pythian Games, celebrated at Delphi every three years.

From Myths of Greece and Rome Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art by Guerber, H. A. (H?l?ne Adeline)

Here the Pythia, the priestess of Apollo, pronounced the prophetic responses, in extempore prose or verse; and here the Pythian Games were celebrated in honor of Apollo.

From Mosaics of Grecian History by Willson, Marcius

The Pythian Games survived the classic Greek period and were continued under Roman sway until about A.D.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various