The Ancient Olympics: A History

by Nigel Spivey

Book Overview

The word "athletics" is derived from the Greek verb "to struggle or to suffer for a prize." As Nigel Spivey reveals in this engaging account of the Olympics in ancient Greece, "suffer" is putting it mildly. Indeed, the Olympics were not so much a graceful display of Greek beauty as a war fought by other means.
Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were--fierce contexts between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192804332
• ISBN13: 9780192804334
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellence in Research

I cannot praise enough the excellence of Nigel Spivey's research and presentation involved with the ancient Olympics. The craftsmanship of his narrative is first-rate and there is a refreshing candor and lack of romanticizing regarding this event and the times surrounding it. Mr. Spivey may be remembered from his presenting of "The Queens and Kings Of England" on the Biography Channel. He is a charming host on this particular documentary and one can see his sincere interest in putting forth well done research in a way to include the viewer outside the convention of a professor ponticificating to his classroom. A perfectly wonderful book by a perfectly wonderful writer! Thomas Lee