The Olympian, A Tale of Ancient Hellas. A film treatment in eight movements.
First Movement – On his annual pilgrimage to the Oracle of Delphi, the poet Simonides meets a contingent of travelers from the island of Thasos. This is their second visit to the Oracle where they hope to learn what they need to do so that the gods will lift the famine that has gripped their island. Simonides is convinced that the Oracle’s direction to “welcome back all exiles” makes direct reference to the fact that the Thasians have taken the statue they raised to their champion – the Olympic boxer Theagenes – and tossed it into the Aegean Sea. Simonides explains that if they return the statue to its proper place of prominence, the gods will show mercy and end the famine. The Thasians agree to let Simonides return to Thasos with them so that he can explain why the return of the statue is the only thing that satisfy the Pythia’s instructions to please the gods.