Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture

A leading authority on classical games here provides a comprehensive study of the practice of combat sports in the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and the Near East. Describing and analyzing the sports of boxing, wrestling, stick-fighting, and pankration, Michael B. Poliakoff discusses such topics as the function of competition and violent games in ancient society; on the social background of the participants, showing the broad spectrum of Greek athletic personnel; on the significance of the appearance of combat sport in myth and literature; and on the alleged cultic functions of the ancient combat sports. The book is copiously illustrated with photographs of numerous objects rarely or never before published.

Author: Michael B. Poliakoff
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 04/01/1995
Pages: 220
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9780300063127
ISBN10: 0300063121
BISAC Categories:
- History | Ancient | General
- Sports & Recreation | Martial Arts | General

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