Milo of Croton at the Louvre, Paris

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Milo of Croton was a renowned 6th-century wrestler from the prominent Magna Graecian city of Croton who enjoyed an illustrious wrestling career, achieving numerous victories in the most prestigious athletic festivals of ancient Greece. His impressive athletic accomplishments are complemented by his notable military leadership, as the ancient commentator Diodorus Siculus credits him with guiding his fellow citizens to a triumphant victory over neighboring Sybaris in 510 BC. According to historical accounts, Milo was closely associated with the philosopher Pythagoras, who reportedly saved the wrestler's life when a roof was on the verge of collapse and possibly even married the philosopher's daughter, Myia. Like other celebrated athletes of ancient Greece, Milo became the subject of exaggerated tales of strength and power, some perhaps stemming from misinterpretations of his statues. Among these tall tales, he is said to have effortlessly carried a bull on his shoulders and burst a band around his brow by simply inflating the veins in his temples.