Funeral games are athletic competitions held in honor of a recently deceased person.[1] The celebration of funeral games was common to a number of ancient civilizations. Athletics and games such aswrestling are depicted onSumerian statues dating from approximately 2600 BC,[1] and funeral games are depicted in earlyGreek vases, such as theFrancois vase at Florence and theAmphiaraus vase in Berlin.[2] In some accounts, funeral games were not merely held to honor the deceased, but in order to propitiate the spirits of those who had died.[3]
According toliterary tradition, funeral games were a regular feature ofMycenean Greek society. TheIliad describes the funeral games held byAchilles in honor ofPatroclus,[4] and a similar competition was attributed byVirgil toAeneas, who held games on the anniversary of his father's death.[5] Many of the contests were similar to those held at theOlympic Games, and although those were held in honor ofZeus, many scholars see the origin of Olympic competition in these earlier funeral games.[6]Historical examples of funeral games inancient Greece are known from the late sixth century BC until the end of theHellenistic period. They could celebrate either civic heroes, such as the founders of cities, or private individuals, and in either case might become annual events.[7]
Persons considered heroes sometimes became the focus ofhero cults, in which case funeral games might be held as part of their cult ritual. In a civic context, games might be held to honor public figures acclaimed as heroes, or sometimes whole groups of people, such as soldiers from the city who had fallen in battle. It was customary for the participants to be citizens of the towns where the games were held.[7]
One example of such games was held atAmphipolis, in honor of theSpartan generalBrasidas. Brasidas had fallen in battle while capturing the city of Amphipolis during thePeloponnesian War, in 422 BC. After the battle, he became revered as the new founder of the city, displacingHagnon, who established anAthenian colony there in 437. Subsequently, Brasidas' funeral games became an annual event at Amphipolis.[7]
On the island ofAmorgos in theCyclades, Aleximachus Critolaus held a series of funeral games at the town of Aigiale in honor of his son, Aleximachus. The celebrations, which became an annual festival, included sacrifices, a banquet, and a variety of athletic competitions for which prizes were awarded. The most important event was thepankration; but the dead Aleximachus was always declared the winner of this competition, suggesting that he had been an athlete himself.[7]
A variety of prizes were awarded to the competitors at Greek funeral games. The most common prize was anolive wreath or crown, made from the branches of a sacred olive tree. This crown was the most revered prize awarded. In the early period, other prizes awarded included useful commodities such astripods,kettles, double cups, and various farm animals.[8] In later times, precious metals such as gold, silver, bronze, or steel were also awarded.
Competitions known asAonachs were held inIreland in theBronze Age. The most famous of which was theAonach Tailteann "Tailtin Fair", held at Tailtin (Teltown) inMide. According to theAnnals of the Kingdom of Ireland, the fair was established by the legendary kingLugh Lámhfhada (reigned 1849 to 1809 BC) in honor of his foster-mother,Tailtiu.[9] These games are known to have been held during Ireland's medieval period, perhaps as early as the sixth century, but died out after theNorman Invasion of Ireland in the twelfth century. Some sources date the games themselves to the midpoint of Lugh's reign, in 1829 BC, claiming that they predate the Greek Olympics by over a thousand years, and even that they were the inspiration for the Olympic Games.[10]
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