Dolichos of Delphi and the Origins of the Long Run in Panhellenic Games

Abstract

There was an ancient tradition claiming that the name of the Greek long run (dolichos) was coined at Delphi. However, this contest is believed to have been first established at Olympia. Perhaps, the date of introduction of the long run (dolichos) was conjectured by Hippias of Elis (from 50^th Olympics in 580 BC to 15^th in 720 BC), and the Pythian Games of 582 BC were the first Pan-Hellenic festival including dolichos. This chronology corresponds better with another ancient tradition that linked the origins of athletic nudity with the first Olympic long run.