The Actian Games are held every four years, in the summertime, and with the grace and patronage of Augustus they have become almost as important as the Games in Olympia. Countless athletes come here to compete in the stadion, the dolichos, and the race in armor before thousands of spectators. There is wrestling and boxing and the pankration, of which I am an ardent fan. And there are also great sea battles and horse races but these vulgar events are for the masses and not a man of my exalted artistic temperament. I much rather spend my time watching the poets, sophists, comedians, heralds, trumpeters, flute players, and my fellow tragedians competing for the wreath of reed or laurel.