{"product_id":"the-ancient-olympics-0199602697","title":"The Ancient Olympics","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0199602697\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spivey, Nigel\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e New\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52200009826592,"sku":"NEW0199602697","price":38.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0980\/7426\/3840\/files\/61j3NGJ9hKL.jpg?v=1787000330","url":"https:\/\/miakarts.com\/en-ca\/products\/the-ancient-olympics-0199602697","provider":"Miakarts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}