The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle for a prize'. After reading this book, no one 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 really were - fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn and even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, and a number of athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested always bitterly and often bloodily, the ancient Olympics were not an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far removed from the battlefield.
- ISBN10 0192806041
- ISBN13 9780192806048
- Publish Date 30 June 2005 (first published 14 July 2004)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 14 January 2014
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Oxford University Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 304
- Language English