Greek and Roman Sport

World History

by Don Nardo

Discusses the role of sports in the ancient Greek and Roman world, covering the Olympics, the glories of physical achievement, spectacle sports, horse and chariot racing, and leisure sports.

112 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Don Nardo (born February 22, 1947) is an American historian, composer, and writer. With close to four hundred and fifty published books, he is one of the most prolific authors in the United States, and one of the country's foremost writers of historical works for children and teens.

Reviews

[Chris]

I thought Greek and Roman Sport was a pretty interesting book about Greek and Roman sports. This book talks a lot about the ancient Olympics and regular spectator sports. Most atheletes then competed for pride and considered losing a disgrace. There was everything from footraces, long jumps, throwing events, bozing, wrestling, and MMA style fighting. Civilians considered bloodshed and killing very entertaining, and would recieve free bread and other food while watching. Alhough most games were played fair at times, atheletes would be paid to lose. Gladiator matches were held for people to watch, and the atheletes were either slaves, people looking for a challenge, or for money. In these matches spectators had a say in weather or not someone lived and expressed these oppinions with either a thumbs up, which ment 'but his throat' or a thumbs down, which ment 'spare him'. This book is interesting because the reader is able to see where many sports have come from and how they have changed.