nemean games
Noun: 1. An ancient Greek athletic festival: The Nemean Games were one of the four major Panhellenic (all-Greek) athletic and religious festivals of ancient Greece. They were held every two years in the sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea.
The term "Nemean Games" is used historically to refer specifically to this recurring athletic competition. It is always capitalized as a proper noun. - The Nemean Games were considered second in prestige only to the Olympic Games. - Victors at the Nemean Games were crowned with a wreath of wild celery.
- In historical or classical context: The term is used in discussions of ancient Greek culture, athletics, religion, and politics.
- The establishment of the Nemean Games was linked to the myth of the Nemean Lion, slain by the hero Heracles.
- As a chronological marker: Ancient historians sometimes dated events by the cycle of the Games.
- The treaty was signed in the third year of the 74th Olympiad, following the Nemean Games.
- Panhellenic Games (noun): The collective term for the four major Greek festivals: the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian Games.
- Nemean (adjective): Of or relating to Nemea. Often used in "Nemean Lion," the mythical beast slain by Heracles.
- Athletic festival (general term)
- Panhellenic festival (general category)
The term "Nemean Games" has only one specific historical meaning and does not have modern or figurative uses. It is not to be confused with the modern "Nemea Games," a revival of the ancient footrace held at the archaeological site.
- the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially at Nemea in the second and fourth years of each Olympiad