Ancient Judges and Organizers
The amazing stability and success of the ancient Olympic games over a period of more than 1,000 years was due in large part to the organizers/judges of the Games, called Hellanodikai. It was their sacred duty to preserve the rules, traditions, high standards, and legacy of the Games.
The Hellanodikai
Originally, it was the organizer of a particular athletic festival who supervised their execution. This was the case with Pelops, Hercules, and King Iphitos. When the Olympics outlived its original patrons, the job was passed down and took on a life of its own. Originally, the title was "agonothetai" (game organizers), but soon became "Hellanodikai" literally, "the judges of the Greeks." In the beginning there was only one Hellanodikos. Eventually this number grew to and stabilized at ten (in 348 BC, the 108th Olympiad), where it remained until the end of the Games. Three of the Hellanodikai supervised the pentathlon, three the equestrian events, and three organized the remainder of the competitions. The senior Hellanodikos acted as the overall supervisor.
The Hellanodikai were Eleans, since Elis was responsible for the Games. During the first century the office was for life and was hereditary, but from the sixth century on, they were elected from all the citizens of Elis. For each Olympiad, one member from each of the tribes of Elis was chosen by the drawing of lots.
The job description of the Hellanodikai was extensive. Besides serving as judges and umpires, they were general organizers and officials, they presided over every Olympic ceremony and event, for the month before the Games they took on the role of trainers, and they were expected to police the Games as well.
The Hellanodikai were Eleans, since Elis was responsible for the Games. During the first century the office was for life and was hereditary, but from the sixth century on, they were elected from all the citizens of Elis. For each Olympiad, one member from each of the tribes of Elis was chosen by the drawing of lots.
The job description of the Hellanodikai was extensive. Besides serving as judges and umpires, they were general organizers and officials, they presided over every Olympic ceremony and event, for the month before the Games they took on the role of trainers, and they were expected to police the Games as well.
Ten Months in Elis
For the ten months prior to the Games, the Hellanodikai lived in their own special residence in Elis. Called the "Hellanodikaion," this building was specially constructed for this purpose and was close to the gymnasiums where the prospective Olympic athletes spent the final month in training before the Games. During their stay, the Hellanodikai were trained by the "nomophylakes" (guardians of the law) in the regulations and provisions of the Games.
One Month in Training
In the last month before the Games, the Hellanodikai supervised the training of the athletes. This was a kind of trial period during which the judges were free to select those who had been well trained or single out those with unsatisfactory training. Although the athletes' trainers were required to be present, they could not interfere with the Hellanodikai, under penalty of flogging. The training was renowned for its harshness: the athletes had to observe a strict diet, carry out a grueling regime, and obey every word of the Hellanodikai. If they did not, they could be flogged or excluded from the Games. The Hellanodikai did not judge only the physical condition of the athletes, but also their behavior. Those that were not considered to be properly prepared were excluded. The character and the morality of the athletes were evaluated, as well as their power, resistance, endurance, and generally their ability to perform in front of a panhellenic audience at a level keeping with the fame and the history of the Olympic sanctuary. In addition, any prospective competitors who were found to have committed a crime or robbed a temple were automatically excluded.
During this month, the Hellanodikai also classified the competitors into categories for various events. They verified parentage and Greek descent, and checked whether the contestants had been registered in the special list called "leukoma."
Two days before the beginning of the festival, those who were approved to participate left Elis for Olympia along the Sacred Road in a procession headed by the Hellanodikai.
During this month, the Hellanodikai also classified the competitors into categories for various events. They verified parentage and Greek descent, and checked whether the contestants had been registered in the special list called "leukoma."
Two days before the beginning of the festival, those who were approved to participate left Elis for Olympia along the Sacred Road in a procession headed by the Hellanodikai.