Diagoras

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Ancient Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDiagoras
Used name•Diagoras
NOC Rhodes
Medals AG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Diagoras was considered the greatest boxer of the ancient Games. Pindar wrote for him one of the most splendid pieces of Greek lyric poetry. The Rhodians valued it so highly that they had it engraved in gold on the temple of Athena at Lindos. Three of his sons, Damagetos, Akousilaos, and Dorieus, won Olympic titles, as well as his grandson, Eukles.

When Eukles won his title, his mother, Kallipateira, attended his matches disguised as a trainer. When he won, she leaped over the barrier behind the trainer’s station and exposed herself as a woman. The judges withheld the death penalty “out of respect for her father and her brothers and son.” However, a rule was enacted requiring all trainers to thereafter attend all Olympic contests fully naked, like the athletes.

Akousilaos was the son of Diagoras of Rhodes, who won the Olympic boxing crown in 464 BCE. At the same games, Damagetos, another son of Diagoras, won the pankration. After their victories, they raised their father, Diagoras, to their shoulders and placed their crowns upon his head. The crowd cheered, “Long live Diagoras.” As he was being carried around the track, a Spartan’s voice in the crowd called out, “Die now, Diagoras. There is nothing left for you but to ascend to Olympus.” With that, Diagoras bent his head, still wearing the two crowns, and breathed his last.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
464 BCE Ancient Olympics Ancient Combative Sports (Ancient Sports) RHD Diagoras
Boxing, Men (Ancient Olympics) 1 Gold

Olympic family relations