Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Acanthus

by William Smith

ACANTHUS (Ἄκανθος), the Lacedaemonian, was victor in the δίαυλος and the δόλιχος in the Olympic games in 0l. 15, (b. c. 720,) and according to some accounts was the first who ran naked in these games. (Paus. v. 8. § 3; Dionys. vii. 72; African, apud Euseb. p. 143.) Other accounts ascribe this to Orsippus the Megarian. [Orsippus.] Thucydides says that the Lacedaemonians were the first who contended naked in gymnastic games, (i. 6.)