The Ancient Olympics
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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.
Author: Nigel Spivey (Lecturer in Classics at the University of Cambridge, and Fellow and Director of Studies in Classics at Emmanuel College)
Format: Paperback, 310 pages, 131mm x 196mm, 336 g
Published: 2012, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom
Genre: Ancient History
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.
The Ancient Olympics