Sport and spectacle in the ancient world has become a vital area of
broad new exploration over the last few decades. This Handbook
brings together the latest research on Greek and Roman
manifestations of these pastimes to explore current approaches and
open exciting new avenues of inquiry. It discusses historical
perspectives, contest forms, contest-related texts, civic and
social aspects, and use and meaning of the individual body. Greek
and Roman topics are interwoven to simulate contest-like tensions
and complementarities, juxtaposing, for example, violence in Greek
athletics and Roman gladiatorial events, Greek and Roman chariot
events, architectural frameworks for contests and games in the two
cultures, and contrasting views of religion, bodily regimens, and
judicial classification related to both cultures. It examines the
social contexts of games, namely the evolution of sport and
spectacle across cultural and political boundaries, and how games
are adapted to multiple contexts and multiple purposes, reinforcing
social hierarchies, performing shared values, and playing out deep
cultural tensions. The volume also considers other directing forces
in the ancient Mediterranean, such as Bronze Age Egypt and the Near
East, Etruria, and early Christianity. It addresses important
themes common to both antiquity and modern society, such as issues
of class, gender, and health, as well as the popular culture of the
modern Olympics and gladiators in cinema. With innovative
perspectives from authoratative scholars on a wide range of topics,
this Handbook will appeal to both students and researchers
interested in ancient history, literature, sports, and games.
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