Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Isthmian Games

Isthmian Games

1 9.9
A major ancient Greek festival that happens every two years on the Isthmus of Corinth with sports and music contests
  • noun
  • /ˈɪsθmiən ɡeɪmz/
: Juegos Ístmicos
  • The Isthmian Games attracted athletes from all over ancient Greece for competition and celebration.

Examples

  • The Isthmian Games featured athletic contests such as running and wrestling.

  • Did you know the Isthmian Games included musical contests?

  • During the Isthmian Games, victors were crowned with wreaths of wild celery.

  • Scholars have found references to the Isthmian Games in many classical texts.

  • The Isthmian Games were celebrated in ancient Greece.

  • Every two years, athletes from all over Greece came together for the Isthmian Games.

  • The Isthmian Games celebrated not only sports but also music and poetry in ancient Greece.

Surface Forms

Isthmian Games singular
Isthmian Games plural

Morphology

isthmian + game

The adjective 'Isthmian' relates to an isthmus and 'Games' denotes contests, so a learner who knows both words can infer this refers to contests held on an isthmus. However, the specific historical meaning as a major ancient Greek Panhellenic festival with regular athletic and musical competitions is culturally specific and not fully predictable from the parts alone, so full comprehension requires prior exposure.

Etymology

The Isthmian Games were named for the narrow land bridge called the Isthmus of Corinth, where people met every two years. Picture runners and musicians on that small strip of land being crowned with wild celery, and that image explains why the name refers to a big ancient Greek 'festival' of sport and music.