Classics professor David Young, who has researched the subject for over 25 years, reveals how the ancient Olympics evolved from modest beginnings into a grand festival, attracting hundreds of highly trained athletes, tens of thousands of spectators, and the finest artists and poets.

List of Figures ix

Preface xi

1 Introduction 1

2 Beginnings and Evidence 12

3 Athletic Events 24

4 Combat and Equestrian Events 38

5 Zeus Country 52

6 Pindar and Immortality 67

7 Body, Mind, and Greek Athletics 80

8 Questions of Profit and Social Class 92

9 The Athletes 102

10 Women and Greek Athletics 113

11 Between the Greek and Roman Worlds 122

12 The Later Centuries of Olympia 130

13 The Origin and Authenticity of the Modern Olympic Games 138

Appendix A: Chronology and Schedule of the Athletic Circuit 158

Appendix B: Technical Note on Discus and Long Jump 161

Appendix C: Modern Issues: The Marathon and Torch Relay 165

Notes 170

Glossary 175

Bibliography 177

Index 181