1/27/2024 0 Comments Milo of croton![]() Imprisoned by the tree stump, wild beasts eventually devoured him. He did not have the strength to split the stump apart instead, it closed on his hand. When he tried, however, the wedge fell out. Milo wanted to show off his strength by completely splitting the tree apart with his hands. One day, as Milo was getting on in years and his strength began to diminish, he saw a lone tree stump left partially split with a wedge. This type of pride would eventually be his downfall. He would even tie a cord around his head and, by holding his breath, would break the cord with the bulging veins in his forehead. He would challenge people to bend his fingers, and all were unsuccessful. He would stand on a greased iron disk and challenge others to push him off. No one could remove the fruit from his hand, nor could they cause him to damage the fruit by their efforts. For instance, he would show off his strength by having others try to take a pomegranate from his hand. There were instances, however, in which Milo allowed his pride to determine how he used his strength. His strength adapted to the slow, incremental change in the animal’s weight. But at the end of four years, he was no longer carrying a baby calf but a full-grown bull. How did Milo acquire his incredible strength? As legend has it, he saw a newborn calf near his home and decided to pick it up and carry it. Even the games, as long as the competition remained respectful and friendly, could create a sense of harmony not only within his own community but also between communities. Protecting his friends and dispelling danger was definitely a positive outcome for his community. These are instances in which Milo’s strength was used to create positive outcomes around him. In another instance, Milo saved Pythagoras and his followers from a falling roof by using his strength to support the central column until everyone reached safety. When a neighboring town attacked Croton, Milo led his fellow citizens to victory while dressed like Herakles. He also used his strength to help his friends. ![]() These accomplishments are incredible, even by today’s standards. Competing into his 40s, he won at least five consecutive Olympic titles, seven titles at the Pythian Games, ten titles at the Isthmian Games, and nine titles at the Nemean Games. and was revered for his superhuman strength. Milo was an athletic phenomenon in the sixth century B.C. “The Death of Milo of Croton,” 1761, by Jean Jacques Bachelier. Milo of Croton, now popular in fitness circles, was another citizen of ancient Greece whose life story may serve as a warning of the consequences of pride. Myths such as Icarus flying too high to the sun and Narcissus looking at his own reflection served as cautionary tales that revealed the dangers of pride, hubris, and vanity. Have you ever watched someone try to show off and then suffer instant repercussions for their actions? In ancient Greece, pride was sometimes considered dangerous.
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