Chapter Seven
The Oath-Taking
Η Ορκωμοσία
The day of the Oath-Taking arrived and the tempest of arrogance and bluster that had blown about the sanctuary of Olympia was now muted and awed.
All felt that the Gods were now in attendance, and so every man trained with quiet intensity, anticipating the contests to come, the hoped-for elation at a bout won, a throw to match all others, or a stride faster and farther than everyone else.
Hope warred with doubt in each mortal man's heart as he oiled his n***d body in the elaiothesion, and then dusted himself in the konisterion, the rituals before competition and practice.
Most of the noise came from trainers who offered last minute advice to their athletes, adjustment in technique, or hints as to how to best their competitors.
Early in the
