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Synopsis
The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle/suffer 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. The author explores what the events were, the rules for competitors, training and diet, the pervasiveness of cheating and bribery, the prizes on offer, the exclusion of 'barbarians', and protocols on pederasty. He also peels back the mythology surrounding the games today and investigates where our current conception of the Olympics has come from. 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
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Product Description
SPIVEY, N. THE ANCIENT OLYMPICS. OXFORD, 2004, xxiii 273 p.,figuras. Encuadernacion original. Nuevo.
Review
A scholarly yet accessible text; history and myth intertwining. (The Guardian Review)
Spivey gives a good survey of the Olympics, well informed and concise, but not unopinionated. (New York Review of Books)
Spivey's prose is always full of flavour and The Ancient Olympics must rank as one of the most enjoyable and intelligent books about the ancient Greeks currently on the market. (James Davidson, Daily Telegraph)
excellent...fascinating background reading for anyone planning to watch Athens 2004 (Sunday Times)
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- PublisherOUP Oxford
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 0192804332
- ISBN 13 9780192804334
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages300
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The Ancient Olympics: War Minus the Shooting
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Oxford University Press, 2004
ISBN 10: 0192804332
ISBN 13: 9780192804334
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The Ancient Olympics: War Minus the Shooting
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ISBN 10: 0192804332
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Paperback. Condition: Good. The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle/suffer 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. The author explores what the events were, the rules for competitors, training and diet, the pervasiveness of cheating and bribery, the prizes on offer, the exclusion of 'barbarians', and protocols on pederasty. He also peels back the mythology surrounding the games today and investigates where our current conception of the Olympics has come from. 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 book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR001588889
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Ancient Olympics: A History
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The Ancient Olympics: War Minus the Shooting Spivey, Nigel
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The Ancient Olympics: A History
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The Ancient Olympics: A History
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The Ancient Olympics: A History
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