Description
Book SynopsisA history of Greek and Roman sport in the ancient world, and the genesis of the Olympic Games.
Trade Review'A rich, absorbing account' Independent on Sunday. * Independent on Sunday *
'Vivid and authoritative ... scholarly and entertaining ... fascinating and impressive' Sunday Times. * Sunday Times *
Table of ContentsList of illustrations. Maps. Preface. Then and Now. Part 1 Ashes, Linen and the Origins of Sport: Introduction; Homer and the Bronze Age; Homer and Sport. Part 2 Olympia: From Myth to History; Olympia in 480 BC; The Olympic Games of 476 BC; The Festival Approaches; Winning (The equestrian events; The pentathlon and the foot races; Nudity; Pain and suffering); Remembering Victory (The athlete as hero); The Emergence of the Panhellenic Cycle. Part 3 The World of the Gymnasium: Sport and Civic Virtue; Beroia; Getting in Shape and Turning Pro. Part 4 Roman Games: Greece Meets Rome; Kings and Games; Rome and Italy; Actors and Gladiators; Caesar, Antony, Augustus and the Games. Part 5 Imperial Games: Watching; The Fan's Experience; Expectations; Crowd Noise; Dreaming of Sport; Images of Sport; Women's Sports; Gladiators (Life as a gladiator; Training and ranking; Dying; Choosing to be a gladiator); Charioteers; Athletes (Athletic guilds; Cheating); Running the Show (Administration; Athletics). Epilogue: The Long End of an Era. Bibliography. Classical Sources. Notes. Index.
