Greek Athletics and the Genesis of Sport

by David Sansone

Overview

How is sport in contemporary society related to sport in earlier civilizations? Why is the expenditure of energy involved in sport considered exhilarating, while the equivalent expenditure of energy in other contexts can be dispiriting? David Sansone offers answers to these questions and advances a revolutionary thesis to account for the widespread phenomenon of sport. Drawing upon ethnological findings to demonstrate the ritual character of sport, he explores the relationship between ancient Greek sport and sacrificial ritual and traces elements common to both back to primitive origins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520080959
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	12/22/1992
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

David Sansone is Professor of Classics at the University of Illinois, Urbana.

Table of Contents

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PRELUDE
Part One. The Genesis of Sport
Part Two. The Nature of Greek Athletics
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX