[Footnote 6: Probably in some vision seen by Pindar on his journey to
Delphi.]
[Footnote 7: Father of Aristomenes.]
[Footnote 8: His competitors in four ties of the wrestling-match.]
[Footnote 9: The nymph, protectress of the island.]
IX.
FOR TELESIKRATES OF KYRENE,
WINNER OF THE FOOT-RACE IN FULL ARMOUR.
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The Hellenic heavy-armed soldier was often called upon to advance at a run, as for instance in the charge at Marathon. With a view no doubt to such occasions this race in full armour had been instituted at Pytho in 498, and in 478 it was won by Telesikrates. The ode was probably sung in a procession at Thebes, before Telesikrates had gone back to Kyrene, but the legends related are mainly connected with Kyrene. Probably the commentators are right in supposing that Telesikrates was to take home with him a bride from the mother-country, a fact which makes the legends told specially appropriate.
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