Image ID: 00197

WOS Pentathlon Medal

Courtesy of Wenlock Olympian Society

Line drawing of WOS Pentathlon Medal A Pentahlon was added to the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1868. The prize was a handsome 'first class silver medal' of an elaborate design. It was the first time a medal featured the image of 'Nike' the winged Goddess of Victory, which has since appeared on every Olympic medal ever presented. It was made by Queen Victoria's Silversmith, Hunt and Roskell at a cost of £84.4 shillings. The medal encompassed every aspect of the Wenlock Olympian Games competitions. It was an oval medallion on a Maltese Cross which bares the winged figure of 'Nike', standing on an orb, holding a tiny crown of olive leaves and surrounded by a further crown of olive leaves with an inscription from Pindar's Olympic Ode: "there are rewards for glorious deeds" The cross is suspended from an Emblematic Bar decorated with the motto 'Arte et Viribus' (skill and strength) across four shield. The first shield has a scroll and lyre representing literature and music; the second a bust and palette representing sculpture and painting; the third a tilting ring and lance, a quoit and a cricket bat and ball representing sporting skills; and the fourth a rifle and sword representing military skills.

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KeywordsPentathlon MedalLine drawing