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

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

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

The Actian and the Pythian Games Playes or Games in honor of Apollo. 70Deuised were to praise thee, With all th' Apolinary names That th' Ancients thought could raise thee.

From Minor Poems of Michael Drayton by Brett, Cyril

After his death the power passed to his brother Hiero, whose victories in the Olympian and Pythian Games are commemorated in the Odes of Pindar.

From Stories from Thucydides by Havell, H. L. (Herbert Lord)

A native of Tarentum, Evangelus by name, a person of some note in his own city, conceived the ambition of winning a prize in the Pythian Games.

From Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 03 by Fowler, F. G. (Francis George)