The Ancient Olympics

Paperback

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Details

Release date Australia

August 14th, 2012

Author

Nigel Spivey

Pages

320

Dimensions (mm)

129x196

Illustrations

40 black and white halftones, 3 maps and figures

Country of Publication

United Kingdom

Imprint

Oxford University Press

ISBN-13

9780199602698

Product ID

18627568

Description

The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle for a prize'. After reading this book, no one will see the Olympics as a graceful display of Greek beauty again, but as war by other means. Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were - fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn and even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, and a number of athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested always bitterly and often bloodily, the ancient Olympics were not an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far removed from the battlefield.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the New Edition; Overture; 1. 'War Minus the Shooting'; 2. In Training for Beautiful Goodness; 3. The Programme of Agony; 4. Sweet Victory; 5. The Politics of Contest; 6. Olympia: The Origins; 7. Olympia: The Afterlife; Epilogue; Sources and Further Reading; Index

The Ancient Olympics Release Date Australia: August 14th, 2012