Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World - (Ancient Cultures) 2nd Edition by Donald G Kyle (Paperback)

The Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World Second Edition is a comprehensive guide that provides an updated introduction to over 2,000 years of ancient history on this topic.

This book covers the Ancient Near East up to the late Roman Empire, exploring cultural exchange between Greek sport and Roman spectacle, and how each culture responded to the other's entertainment.

The author challenges traditional scholarship on sport and spectacle in the Ancient World, debunking claims that there were no sports before the ancient Greeks.

The book features a new chapter on sport and spectacle during the Late Roman Empire, including Christian opposition to pagan games and the Roman response.

It covers topics such as violence, professionalism in sport, class, gender, and eroticism, and the relationship of spectacle to political structures.

With more illustrations and a larger format, this second edition is updated with the most recent scholarship and features an all-new chapter highlighting sport and spectacle during the Late Roman period.

This book provides summaries of new discoveries such as bull-jumping mosaics in the Nile Delta, and insights into Greek athletic festivals from letters by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

The Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World Second Edition is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient history, sports, or cultural exchange.