Were poets crowned for their poetry at any of the ancient Greek games, and if so, what was the crown made of?

Question

I know that at the various games the athletes were crowned with variant leaves (laurel, olive, parsely, etc.), but were poets crowned, too, at these games, perhaps for the best ode or some other form of poetry? I would prefer if someone could supply some reasonably academic source materials about this question, please.

Answer 1

There were poetry competitions in ancient Greece, in which the poets were supposed to sing their poems while playing a musical instrument similar to the guitar.

Answer 2

I cannot find any reference to poets being honored at the Olympic games. Unfortunately because it is the famous ones the other games are not as well documented in modern texts.

The games were only for men, attended only by men, and off limits for women because all the contest were performed in the nude. I've read that the reason for exclusion of women is because it was thought that a woman could never be faithful to her husband after seeing all that young naked flesh. That's how we come to have the work gymnasium (naked place). I can't imagine poetry being included.

Answer 3

There was one instance where the Poet Helipme was crowned the poet of the gods. Not much is left of the marble tablet the poem was etched upon, but tantalising first line " There once was a girl from Thermopoli" Teases scolars to this day.

Answer 4

Well, it's been a while since i took AP Ancient History, but if i remember correctly, poets were not at greek games per say, they were, however, common entertainment in the "throne rooms" (for lack of a better word) and were rewarded with money as payment, and popularity in that particular area.(i don't remember what the dominions were called in greece, i think they were city-states) However, for apparel, they were commonly rewarded along with money, robes, comonnly made of silk. (post persion invasion)

Hope that helped, just don't count it as an ultimate authority, and don't quote me. it might be a little off.

Answer 5

Only athletes ....... some poets were acknowledged with great homes, foods , slaves and female or male companions......

Remember , some of these poets were honored long after they died........ and some were murdered for their differences in opinions
regarding the government of that time....

Answer 6

I don't believe any were honored at ancient games. I can find no reference to this at all.

Answer 7

dunno but sure hope so