The Ancient Olympics Paperback / softback
by Nigel (Lecturer in Classics at the University of Cambridge, and Fellow and Director of Studi Spivey
Paperback / softback
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.
Information
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Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:310 pages, 40 black and white halftones, 3 maps and figures
- Publisher:Oxford University Press
- Publication Date:14/06/2012
- Category:
- ISBN:9780199602698
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:310 pages, 40 black and white halftones, 3 maps and figures
- Publisher:Oxford University Press
- Publication Date:14/06/2012
- Category:
- ISBN:9780199602698