Polydamas

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Ancient Olympic Games
SexMale
Full namePolydamas
Used name•Polydamas
NOC Skotoussa
Medals AG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Polydamas, son of Nikias, was considered the biggest, tallest, and strongest of all great champions of Greece. It was said that the many deeds he performed had never been achieved by another mortal, and that he was the equal of Herakles. As did Herakles he is claimed to have once killed a lion with his bare hands. His other feats of strength include stopping a moving chariot with his brute strength and wrestling a bull and severing its hoof. Darius II, King of Persia, invited Polydamas to Susa, challenging him to fight three of his elite soldiers known as Immortals. Polydamas killed all of them.

His own strength did him in, however. Relaxing with friends one day they took refuge in a cave because of the heat. The cave collapsed, and Polydamas held up the roof to allow his friends to escape. But after he did this, the rocks collapsed and crushed him.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
408 BCE Ancient Olympics Ancient Combative Sports (Ancient Sports) SKO Polydamas
Pankration, Men (Ancient Olympics) 1 Gold