Kleomedes of Astypalaia

Kleomedes of Astypalaia was a famous ancient Greek boxer who had a successful career in the fifth century BC. In 496 or 492 BC, at either the 71st or the 72nd Olympic Games, he killed his opponent Ikos of Epidauros with a foul blow, and the Hellanodikai judges disqualified him and fined him heavily. Tradition says he mourned this stain on his record and, on returning to Astypalaia, pulled down a pillar of the gymnasium where he had first learned boxing, killing many of the children inside. Pursued by the townspeople, he hid in a chest in the temple of Athena and was gone when it was opened. The Oracle of Delphi declared him an immortal hero, and Astypalaia honored him with annual sacrifices.