The ancient Olympics
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The ancient Olympics
Oxford University Press, 2005
- : pbk.
Available at / 6 libraries
-
No Libraries matched.
- Remove all filters.
Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
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
- 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
by "Nielsen BookData"