GAMES, CLASSICAL. 1. Public Games.—The public games of Greece (46N/ es) and Rome (Lodi) consisted in ath letic contests and spectacles of various kinds, generally connected with and forming a part of a religious observance. Probably no institution exercised a greater influence in moulding the national character, and producing that unique type of physical and intel lectual beauty which we see reflected in Greek art and literature, than the public contests of Greece (see ATHLETE; GLADIATORS;