Ancient Greek Athletics by Stephen G Miller
The earliest Olympic games began more than twenty-five-hundred years ago. What were they like, how were they organised, who participated? Were ancient sports a means of preparing youth for warfare? In this lavishly illustrated book, a world expert on ancient Greek athletics provides the first comprehensive introduction to the subject, vividly describing ancient sporting events and games and exploring their impact on art, literature, and politics. Using a wide array of ancient sources, written and visual, and including recent archaeological discoveries, Stephen Miller reconstructs ancient Greek athletic festivals and the details of specific athletic events. He also explores broader themes, including the role of women in ancient athletics, the place of amateurism, and the relationship between athletic events and social and political life. Published in the year the modern Olympic Games return to Athens, this book will be a source of information and enjoyment for anyone interested in the history of athletics and the origins of the world's most famous sporting event.
"An olive wreath to Miller for producing an eminently readable, generously illustrated, and comprehensive text on Greek athleticsA must-read for everyone interested in the role of sport in the ancient world." Jenifer Neils, author of Goddess and Polis: The Panathenaic Festival in Ancient Athens; "Everyone interested in sports will want to own this book, which is a lucid introduction to ancient athletics." Mary Lefkowitz, author of Greek Gods, Human Lives"
Stephen G. Miller, professor of classical archaeology at the University of California, Berkeley, directs the excavations at Nemea in Greece, one of the major sites of ancient games. He is the author of many books, including Arete: Greek Sports from Ancient Sources.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780300100839 |
| ISBN 10 | 0300100833 |
| Title | Ancient Greek Athletics |
| Author | Stephen G Miller |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Yale University Press |
| Year published | 2004-12-31 |
| Number of pages | 288 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |