The happiest man that ever lived

Diagoras of Rhodes (Διαγόρας ο Ῥόδιος) was a famous and virtuous Greek athlete.  In the 5th century BC, Diagoras won twice in the Olympic games, four times in the Isthmian, twice in the Nemean, and once in the Pythian games.  His victories and his righteous elegance that embodied the Olympic spirit were the reasons the poet Pindar immortalized him as a “fair-fighter and a gigantic man who walks a straight course on a road that hates arrogance”.  Outstanding athleticism and dignity were of equal importance to ancient Greeks.   According to a legend he was the son of Hermes something that could explain his super-human athletic achievements.  His three sons and his grandsons from his two daughters were Olympic champions too.  According to a story one of his daughters had to dress as a man to observe her son’s victory, as women were not allowed in the Olympic games. 

Two of his sons celebrated their victory by carrying their father around the stadium in Olympia on their shoulders, cheered loudly by the adoring crowd, which showered them with flowers congratulating Diagoras about his sons.  Diagoras glory and even more having his glory matched and surpassed by his children was considered the peak of happiness that a human could experience.  Legend has it that Diagoras died while he was carried on his sons’ shoulders.  He has since been considered the happiest mortal that ever lived.