Acanthus of Sparta explained

Acanthus of Sparta
Birth Place:Sparta, Laconia
Show-Medals:yes
Event:Diaulos and Dolichos

Acanthus the Lacedaemonian (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἄκανθος[1]), was the victor in two footrace events, the diaulos (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: δίαυλος) and dolichos (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: δόλιχος), in the Olympic Games of 720 BC. He was also, according to some accounts, the first who ran naked in these games.[2] [3] [4] Other accounts ascribe this to Orsippus the Megarian. Thucydides says that the Lacedaemonians were the first who contended naked in gymnastic games, although he does not mention Acanthus by name.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Christesen, Paul . Olympic Victor Lists and Ancient Greek History . Cambridge University Press . 2007 . 528.
  2. [Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]
  3. Dionys. vii. 72.
  4. [Sextus Julius Africanus]
  5. [Thucydides]