By Philip Barker
A novel set at the time of the origins of the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia has been published just in time for the rescheduled Olympics.
Described as “the first retelling of the origins of the Olympic Games” it was in part inspired by the events surrounding the postponement of the Games in Tokyo.
“Olympia” is a brightly written and imaginative work by Dr. John A. Martino and Dr. Michael P. O’Kane.
Martino is a disabled veteran from the Australian Defense Force and a scholar in Classical History at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. He has worked with anthropologist O’Kane, an academic author specialising in work on the indigenous communities in Australia.
It has a foreword by Professor Alexis Lyras, founder and academic director of the Olympism for Humanity Alliance who had met Martino at the lighting in Olympia of the Flame for 2020.
The story begins with a prologue in which Baron Pierre de Coubertin visits Olympia during the excavations of the ancient site in the late nineteenth century.
Coubertin’s Greek guide tells him “the true story of Olympia is not to be found in the old stones they chip away at. It is in the memories of my people, what you educated men would call myths and legends.”
The action begins for real on the plains of Olympia in 776 BC, the date of the first known Olympic Games.
It is told through the story of mythical hero Pelops, and Koroibos, a cook from the village of Elis, some 60 kilometres from Olympia.
It relates how destructive wars and loss of life prompted a journey made to the Oracle at Delphi by King Iphitus of Elis.
“We return from Delphi to share news of new Games to be held in honour of the gods,” says the King.
There are wonderfully colourful descriptions which imagine what it must have been like to watch the competitions on the hillside in Olympia.
Then a recreation of Koroibus’ race to victory and Olympic immortality as the first Olympic Champion and describes him recovering from a stumble at the start.
“Far from being overawed by the moment, as at first he had feared, Koroibus discovered a fierce joy in his heart as the crowd, seeing his recovery, now began to chant his name.”
After his victory, the King tells him, “you have made Elis proud my cook.”
The book is available through Addison and Highsmith, an imprint of Histria Books. 228 pages
ISBN-10 : 1592110967 ISBN-13 : 978-1592110964. The price is approximately £24.00 ($24.00)
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