Pedestrianism

20 ANCIENT GYMNASTICS. Although the Hellanodicscould bestow no otherreward thanthe O LIVE C HAPLET , which was merely a symbol, yet the shouts of ap­ plause from the spectators, and the congra­ tulations of relatives, friends, andassembled countrymen,formeda meed that gratified the ambition of the conquerors. Sacrificeswere made in honorof the victors, and entertain­ ments were given, in which they presided, or were otherwise eminently distinguished. In the P RYTANEUM , or town-hallof Olympia, a banqueting-room wasset apartfor the special purposeof entertaining them; andodes com­ posedfor the occasionweresung by a C HORUS, accompaniedwith instrumentalmusic*. There can be nothing more gratifying to laudably ambition, than the idea that great actions shall be handed down to posterity. To perpetuate, therefore, the glory of these victories, the names of the conquerors were recorded in a public register, whichspecified the exercise in whicheach had excelled : and * West's Dissertation, the