(2) Theaters and Amphitheaters. The Hero dian princes had theaters and amphitheaters built in Jerusalem and other cities of Palestine, in which were held splendid games, sometimes in honor of their Roman masters. The drama does not appear to have been introduced, but Jews were in foreign countries actors of plays (Joseph. Vita, sec. 3). The passage already cited (see the original) is full of evidence how distasteful these heathenish games were to the more sound minded part of the nation.
These facts make it the less surprising that allusions should be found in the New Testament writings to the Grecian games.
The fact that, as we have seen, the games of the amphitheater were celebrated even in Jeru salem, serves to make it very likely that Paul, in Cor. xv :32; iv :9, alludes to these detestable practices, though it is not probable that the apostle was himself actually exposed to the fury of the raging animals. Contrary to the opinion of some writers, the reference to these combats appears to us very clear, though it was only metaphorically that Paul 'fought with beasts at Ephesus.' 3. Barbarous Sports. The word which the Apostle (I Cor. xv :32) uses is emphatic and descriptive, iOnpioAdxnera, I fought witlt wild beasts. The enpiopaxia or beast-fight (venatio in Latin) constituted among the Romans a part of the amusements of the circus or amphitheater. It consisted in the combat of human beings with animals. The persons destined to this barbarous kind of amusement were termed Onptcnidxot, beast fighters. They were generally of two classes.
(1) Volunteers. Voluntary, that is, persons who fought either for amusement or for pay; these were clothed and provided with offensive and defensive weapons.
(2) Martyrs. Condemned persons, who were mostly exposed to the fury of the animals un clothed, unarmed, and sometimes bound (Cic. Pro Sext. 64; Ep. ad Quint. Frot. ii. 6; Senec. De Benef. ii :19; Tertull. Apoi. 9). As none but the vilest of men were in general devoted to these beast-fights, no punishment could be more con dign and cruel than what was frequently inflicted on the primitive Christians, when they were hur ried away 'to the lions' (as the phrase was), on account of their fidelity to conscience and to Christ, its Lord. Ephesus appears to have had
some unenviable distinction in thesc brutal ex hibitions (Schleusner, in voc.), so that there is a peculiar propriety in the lan guage of the Apostle.
4. Sacred Games of Greece. Some of thest. games stood far above the rest, bearing the appel lation of tem, 'sacred,' and deriving their support from the great Hellenic family at large, though each one had special honor in its own locality.
(1) Olympic. The Olympic games were held in the highest honor. The victors at them were accounted the noblest and happiest of mortals, and every means was taken that could show the respect in which they were held. These games were cele brated every five years at Olympia, in Elis, on the west side of the Peloponnesus. Hence the epoch called the Olympiads.
course, so as to be seen of all. On the same table there were also exposed to view palm-branches, one of which was given into the hand of each conqueror at the same time with the chaplet. The victors, having been summoned by proclamation, were presented with the ensigns of victory, and conducted along the stadium, preceded by a herald, who proclaimed their honors, and announced their name, parentage, and country.
The real reward, however, was in the fame which ensued. A chaplet won in the chariot-races at Olympia was the highest of earthly honors. What congratulations from friends; how was the public eye directed to the fortunate conqueror; what honor had he conferred on his native city, and for what office was such an one unfit ! In order to perpetuate the memory of these great men, their names and achievements were entered into a pub lic register, which was under the ca re of suitable officers. A no less privilege was that of having a statue of them selves placed either at the expense of their country or their friends, in the sacred grove of Jupiter. A perhaps still greater honor awaited the victor on his return home. The conquerors at the Isthmian games were wont to be received in their chariots, superbly attired, amid thronging and jubilant multitudes.
(2) The Pentathlon. The Pentathlon was made up of the union of leaping, running, quoiC ing, wrestling, and hurling the spear.