The Pythian Games were one of the four Panhellenic Games. Their origins are very old, but they took their official form around the 6th century BC. At first there was only one competition, the performance of a music hymn in honor of Apollo, and they were celebrated every eight years.The new celebration occurred every four years and, apart from the musical, athletic and equestrian competitions also took place.The award was a crown made from leaves of a laurel tree.