The athletic festivals of the ancient Greeks and Romans are among the most enduring legacies of the Classical world, and provide a particularly accessible introduction to the study of antiquity. Through examination of literary and historiographical sources (in translation) and of the material remains at the ancient sites, this course introduces students to the origins and development of the major athletic contests (especially the Olympic Games), the methods and practicalities of ancient training, and the changing role of athletics in ancient and modern education, religion, and politics. We end with a survey of the modern Olympic movement, from the nineteenth century to the present.
