Isthmian Games

Isthmus of Corinth, Greece. Biennial festival of Poseidon on the Panhellenic circuit

Overview

Held every two years at the sanctuary of Poseidon on the Isthmus of Corinth, the Isthmian Games completed the circuit of four Panhellenic festivals alongside Olympia, Delphi and Nemea. Winners received a crown of pine or of wild celery, depending on the period. In 196 BC the Roman general Titus Quinctius Flamininus chose the games to proclaim the freedom of the Greek cities before a vast crowd.