Euthymus

Euthymus or Euthymos of Locri appears in ancient tradition as both a celebrated Olympic boxer and a figure who blends into myth. Ancient sources present him not only as an Olympic champion but also as a man who confronted a spirit in Temesa.

Early life Euthymus was from the region near the headland called Zephyrion, and he was said to be the son of Astycles.

Olympic career At one Olympic Games, Theagenes of Thasos entered both the boxing and pankration competitions at the same Olympiad. In the boxing contest, he defeated Euthymus, but the bout was so demanding that he was left exhausted and lacked the strength to win the pankration competition later in the festival.

Divinization Pliny the Elder states that, by the command of the Delphic oracle and with the approval of Zeus, Euthymus was declared a sacred hero or divine figure while he was still alive and fully aware of this honor. Pliny further relates that the oracle ordered sacrifices to be offered to Euthymus, and these sacrifices were performed repeatedly both during his lifetime and after his death.

Strabo According to Strabo, there was also a different version of the myth.

Polites, a companion of Odysseus, is said to have been treacherously murdered by the inhabitants of Temesa. Because of his violent death, he becomes a wrathful hero whose spirit haunted the region. According to an oracle, the people of the area were required to offer him regular tribute, and his relentless demands became proverbial: merciless people were said to be "beset by the hero of Temesa." The hero was honored at a sanctuary near the city, situated in a grove of wild olive trees. After the Epizephyrian Locrians take control of the city, Euthymus confronts Polites, engages him in combat, defeats him, and thereby freed the inhabitants from the tribute.