Athletics of the Ancient World
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Book Overview
"Athletics of the Ancient World" is an authoritative and comprehensive examination of the physical culture that shaped classical civilizations. Written by the distinguished scholar E. Norman Gardiner, this work provides an in-depth look at the development of athletic competitions from the earliest Greek festivals through the Roman era. The text meticulously details various sporting disciplines, including running, jumping, wrestling, boxing, and the discus, while exploring the technical skills and training regimens required of ancient athletes.
Beyond the mechanics of the sports themselves, the book investigates the profound social, religious, and political impact of the Olympic Games and other pan-Hellenic contests. Gardiner analyzes the transition from the heroic amateurism of the Homeric age to the specialized professionalism of later periods, offering insights into the evolution and eventual decline of the athletic ideal. This seminal study serves as a vital resource for readers interested in the history of sport, classical antiquity, and the enduring legacy of the ancient quest for physical excellence.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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