 Ovid states that the games were inaugurated to celebrate Apollo having killed the serpent, "Lest in a dark oblivion time should hide
the fame of this achievement, sacred sports
he instituted" (Metamorphoses, 1.445-6).According to Ovid, the python was produced spontaneously by Gaea (mother earth) at the beginning of primodial time and was a threat to human beings.When Earth, spread over with diluvian ooze,
felt heat ethereal from the glowing sun,
unnumbered species to the light she gave,
and gave to being many an ancient form,
or monster new created.