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Full 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.
Contents
Foreword to the New Edition ; Overture ; 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 ; Epilogue ; Sources and Further Reading ; Index