Description
The word ‘athletics’ is derived from the Greek verb ‘to struggle for a prize’. After reading this book, nobody will see the Olympics as a graceful display of Greek beauty again, but as war by other means.
Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they truly were – fierce contests between bitter rivals, wherein victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn or even assault. Victory used to be almost worth dying for, and numerous athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested all the time bitterly and continuously bloodily, the ancient Olympics weren’t an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far got rid of from the battlefield.