Orsippus

Orsippus (Ancient Greek: Ὄρσιππος) was a Greek runner from Megara who was famed as the first to run the footrace naked at the Olympic Games and "first of all Greeks to be crowned victor naked."^[1]^[2] Others argue that it was Acanthus instead who first introduced Greek athletic nudity. Orsippus won the stadion of the 15th Olympic Games in 720 BC.

Later, as a general, Orsippus conquered a neighboring territory for Megara,^[2] which had recently become independent from Corinth. This accomplishment is commemorated by an epigram inscribed on the base of his statue erected by the Megarians in obedience to a Delphic response.^[3]

Orsippus was buried near Coroebus, Elis.^[2]

References

^ W. Sweet. Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece, 1987; p. 125.
^ ^a ^b ^c Pausanias, 1.44.1.
^ Thomas J. Figueira, Table: Archaic Megara, 800-500 B.C.. The Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University (originally published in 1985 by The Johns Hopkins University Press).

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[1] W. Sweet. Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece, 1987; p. 125.

[Pausanias-2] Pausanias, 1.44.1.

[3] Thomas J. Figueira, Table: Archaic Megara, 800-500 B.C.. The Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University (originally published in 1985 by The Johns Hopkins University Press).

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