About Akanthos of Sparta
Born 799 BC. Akanthos of Sparta was an athletics competitor.
Acanthus the Lacedaemonian , was the victor in two footrace events, the diaulos and dolichos , in the Olympic Games of 720 BC. He was also, according to some accounts, the first who ran naked in these games. Other accounts ascribe this to Orsippus the Megarian. Thucydides says that the Lacedaemonians were the first who contended naked in gymnastic games, although he does not mention Acanthus by name.
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Important facts
Related people
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Akanthos of Sparta?
8th-century BC Greek athlete
When was Akanthos of Sparta born?
Akanthos of Sparta was born in 799 BC in Sparta.
What was Akanthos of Sparta's occupation?
Akanthos of Sparta was an athletics competitor.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Akanthos of Sparta
· DBpedia: Acanthus of Sparta
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Akanthos of Sparta. https://biography.guide/akanthos-of-sparta/
MLA: "Akanthos of Sparta." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/akanthos-of-sparta/.
Chicago: "Akanthos of Sparta." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/akanthos-of-sparta/.
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