Connections between the Ancient and Modern Worlds through the lens of Athletics
In both ancient Greece and contemporary America, athletic success is the gateway to everlasting greatness in the eyes of the public. Successful athletes are not only rewarded with money and fame, but are also able to influence the public by spreading their political opinions and agenda. This is all achieved through the media, which, both then and now, has had a major impact on how these athletes’ messages are presented to the public.
When the media commemorates the important achievements of major athletes, the athletes become a long-lasting representation of the greatness of society at large. For the athletes of ancient Greece, winning athletic competitions was not only an individual accomplishment, it also brought honor to your polis. Pindar, an ancient Greek poet, emphasized the connection between athletic success and everlasting greatness. He used his platform as a major media source in ancient Greece to shape people’s perspective on the importance of athletic success. In Isthmian 8, Pindar discussed the victor and his future, stating “it proved to be the will of the immortals to make a nobleman, even when dead, a theme for the hymns of goddesses; and even now this brings up a subject for words, and the Muses’ chariot rushes forward to shout praises in memory of Nicocles the boxer. Honor him, who won the garland of wild Dorian celery in the Isthmian valley.” Pindar further argues that athletes can become immortal when writing that Nicocles, “even when dead,” will live on in our memories as a victor of the Dorian celery. His athletic excellence was so powerful that he will always be remembered.
Pindar’s comments on athletic greatness and immortality echo the 20th century story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson overcame racial injustice and inequality to become a hero of sport. Jackie Robinson’s impact is so felt that his number has been retired so that no one else in the history of the game can wear it unless it is on Jackie Robinson Day, when every player around the league wears 42. This ensures that Jackie’s legacy lives on forever, lending him a form of immortality. Although during the time that Jackie played, he was seen by some as less than human, he gained the media’s attention by dominating on the field. In Olympian 13, Pindarr described Nicoles as having “attained what no mortal man has ever attained before.” The same could be said of Robinson, who is remembered for breaking barriers to become a famous first.
The media doesn’t always have a laudatory tone when dealing with athletes, it can shift and portray a bias depending on its agenda. This was true both in ancient Greece and today. For example, in Pythian 4, Pindar recognizes that Arcesilaus had been previously cast out of his polis by the Emperor. He states, “but he prays that at some time, when he has drained to the dregs his cup of ruinous affliction, he will see his home, and, joining the symposium near the spring of Apollo, yield his spirit often to the joys of youth, and attain peace, holding the well-made lyre among his skillful fellow citizens, bringing no pain to anyone, and himself unharmed by his townsmen.” Pindar gives Arcesilaus the platform to rejoin his polis because it will bring honor to the both of them. In this circumstance, the media is beneficial in helping Arcesilaus back into his polis.
This is much like the story of Colin Kaepernick, who was cast out of the National Football League for standing up for racial injustice and is now working for a second chance in the league. The media gave Kaepernick the opportunity to spread his message and in turn, is trying to help him to find his way back into a league from which he was dismissed. In Olympian 13, Pindar changes the tone of his song from praising the athlete to praising the polis as a whole. This is because the polis he was talking about was a dictatorship and Pindar was attempting to appeal to that. This circumstance is much like most contemporary media, including CNN and Fox News, who are both biased towards their audiences and only show what the people want to see. Similarly, ESPN only shows highlights and games from Lebron James and Zion Williamson. Although these players have earned the respect of millions for their achievements, the media shouldn’t alter what they show to the majority. This leaves out the minority who want to see other things.
