Camarina had been founded by Syracuse in 599 BC.[1] Destroyed by Syracuse after a revolt, it was rebuilt by Hippocrates, to be destroyed once more by Gelon, and rebuilt in 461 by men of Gela, mainly with the aid of Psaumis.[1]
The Ode was probably in honour of a victory in the chariot-race in 452, a victory not of a tyrant, but of a free citizen.[1] Under the above date the List of Olympian victors in the Oxyrhynchus papyrus places σαμιου καμ [αρινου τεθριππον], where σαμιου is possibly a mistake for Ψαυμιδος.[2][1] The Ambrosian and the Paris MSS of Pindar state that Psaumis won the chariot race in 452 BC.[1]
Summary
Attic amphora, 500–480 BC. Mule-charioteer
Zeus, the Thunderer, is invoked, Zeus whose daughters, the Seasons, had sent the poet to witness the Olympic games (1–3).[1] Men of worth are gladdened by the prosperity of their friends (4, 5).[1] May Zeus graciously welcome the chorus that celebrates the present triumph of Psaumis, and answer his further prayers (6–13).[1] He is keen in the breeding of horses; and is hospitable and patriotic (13–16).[3] For mortal men, trial is the true test.[4] Even so, by trial, Erginus, the Argonaut, was saved from the reproach of the Lemnian women, when, though his hair was grey, he won the race in armour (17–28).[4]
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