HELLANODICÆ, in Grecian Antiquity, the chief judges at the Olympic games. They were chosen by lot from the whole body of the Elean people, to whom the entire management of the festival belonged. They were originally only two in number, but were afterwards increased to nine, three of whom superintended the horse-races, three the pentathlon, and three the other sports. A tenth judge was next added, and in the 103d olympiad, when the Elean phyle were twelve in number, the judges were next increased to twelve, one being chosen from each phyla. In the war between the Eleans and the Arcadians (104th olymp.) the former lost a considerable extent of territory, and the hellanodice were reduced from twelve to eight. A few years afterwards, however, their number was increased to ten, and remained unchanged till the time of Pausanias, from whom most of our information on the subject of these umpires is derived. For ten months before the games began the hellanodice were trained in their duties by certain Elean magistrates entitled nomophylaces. Their duties, which only lasted over one festival, consisted in
seeing that the laws were strictly observed by the competitors and others who took part in the games, in adjudging the prizes, and awarding them to the victors. The hellanodice were held in high esteem in virtue of their office, and were allowed to wear a handsome uniform. The best seats at the games were also reserved for them. All the details of the arrangements were controlled by them.