Iccus of Taranto (Ancient Greek:Ἴκκος) (5th century BC) was aMagna GreciaOlympic athlete, a victor during the 84th Games (444 BC)[1] or 70th Games (470 BC) according to older sources.[2] He is considered the father of athleticdietology. He prepared himself physically before competing according to ethical-religiousPythagorean concepts by abstaining from sexual intercourse and a frugal diet specially prepared. He also taught these principles.[3]Pausanias calls him the best gymnast of his age,[4] andPlato also mentions him with great praise.[5]
Iamblichus calls him a Pythagorean.[6][failed verification] According toThemistius,[7] Plato reckoned him among thesophists. Specifically, inPlato's dialogueProtagoras, thesophistProtagoras lists Iccus alongsideHomer,Hesiod,Simonides,Orpheus,Musaeus,Herodicus, Agathocles tutor ofDamon, andPythoclides [fr] as fellowsophists (that is, improvers of youth) who chose to present themselves as poets, athletes, or musicians for fear of public disapproval.[8]
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