AGON, in antiquity, agon, q. d. combat; a dispute or contention for the mastery, either in some exercises of the body, or the mind. There were of these agones, on certain days, in most of their feasts, and other ceremonies, in honor of gods or heroes. See FEAST and GAME.There were also agones established expressly, and not attached to any other solemnity. Such was the Agon Gymnicus, at Athens; the Agon Nemeus, instituted by the Argives in the 53rd Olympiad; the Agon Olympius, instituted by Hercules, 430 years before the first Olympiad. See NEMEAN, OLYMPIC, etc. The Romans also had agones instituted after the example of the Greeks: The Emperor Aurelian established the Agon Solis, Agon of the Sun; and Diocletian, the Agon Capitolinus, which was held every fourth year, after the manner of the Olympic Games. Hence, the years, instead of Lustra, are sometimes numbered by agones. Agon was also an officer of sacrifice, whose business was to strike the victim. See SACRIFICE and VICTIM. The name was derived hence, that standing ready to give the stroke, he frequently asked agone, or agone? Shall I strike? The agon was also called popa, cultrarius, and victimarius. See POPA.
