The word ‘athletics’ is derived from the Greek verb ‘to struggle for a prize’. After reading this book, no one will see Olympics as graceful display of beauty again, but war by other means. Nigel Spivey paints portrait they really were – fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, losers faced scorn even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, number athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating bribery. Contested always bitterly often bloodily, ancient not an idealistic celebration unity, clash military powers arena far removed battlefield.
What was it like to attend the ancient Olympic Games? With summer Olympics’ return Athens, Tony Perrottet delves into world and lets Greek Games begin again. The acclaimed author of Pagan Holiday brings attitude, erudition, humor fascinating story original festival, tracking event day by re-create experience in all its compelling spectacle. Using firsthand reports little-known sources—including an actual Handbook for a Sports Coach used Greeks—The Naked Olympics creates vivid picture extravaganza performed before as many forty thousand people, featuring contests timeless javelin throw exotic chariot race. Peeling away layers myth, lays bare sporting experience—including round-the-clock bacchanal inside tents Village, all-male nude workouts under statue Eros, history’s first corruption scandals involving athletes. Featuring sometimes scandalous cameos sports enthusiasts Plato, Socrates, Herodotus, offers essential insight today’s unforgettable guide world’s most influential athletic festival. “Just time modern games Greece this more than century, up diverting primer on kind….Well researched; his sources are solid come. It’s also well writen….Perhaps no book season will show us so briefly entertainingly just how complete is our inheritance from Greeks, vulgarity all.” –The Washington Post
A portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were – fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, losers faced scorn even assault. After reading this book, no one will see a graceful display beauty again, but war by other means.
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