Ancient Greek Athletics

A considerable number of academic and popular studies on ancient sports have been, and are due to be, published in this Athenian Olympic year (throwing the opening statement of this book into some doubt: `Ancient Greek athletics as a field of study does not suffer from overpopulation') but this study stands out among the best. Miller draws on recent archaeological and historical discoveries to discuss in comprehensive detail all aspects of games and athletic competitions in ancient Greece. Throughout Miller places athletics in its social context because, as he argues, sport was one of the ways in which Greeks could aspire to their cultural ideal, to be civilised men. Supported by numerous photographs, often in colour, and illustrations of sites and objects that depict competitions, the scholarly text describes in fascinating detail the origin of athletics, the Olympic Games and other festivals, the role of women in this male domain, the relationship between an athlete and a hero, Greek recreation, the gymnasium, sport as entertainment, professional athletes and the political side to competitions. Includes a glossary.