The legend

Olympic Games were the most glorious religious athletic festival in the ancient world. Every 4 years, all city- states of Greece ceased their conflicts and gathered in ancient Olympia where the best athletes were taking part in athletic and combat sports. Running, jumping, wrestling and of course discus throwing were some of the sports that would declare the honorable winner.An olive leaf wreath, cut by a pair of golden scissors, was the prize of eternal glory.

Famous sculptors were always inspired by the Olympic Games. The purpose was to highlight the beauty of the athlete’s shape and the majesty of the honoured Gods.  The King figure is a replica of the famous statue “Poseidon of Melos” (2nd cent. B.C.), and the Queen represents the glorious “Athena Promaxos” (450 B.C. Acropolis museum). A bronze statue of god Hermes has inspired the Bishop figure and the Knight is a part of the marble facade of Parthenon. Castle is a reproduction of an admirable Attic stele of young Aristion who died in battle. Finally the Pawn is a bronze statue of a discus thrower athlete during the classic period (500 B.C.).