Sport in Ancient Times East to West
Sport in Ancient Times
Nigel B. Crowther
PRAEGER
Sport in Ancient Times
Recent Titles in the Praeger Series on the Ancient World Daughters of Gaia: Women in the Ancient Mediterranean World Bella Vivante
SPORT IN ANCIENT TIMES
Nigel B. Crowther
Praeger Series on the Ancient World Bella Vivante, Series Editor
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crowther, Nigel B. Sport in ancient times / Nigel B. Crowther. p. cm. — (Praeger series on the ancient world, ISSN 1932–1406) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-10: 0–275–98739–6 (alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978–0–275–98739–8 (alk. paper) 1. Sports—History. I. Title. GV571.C76 2007 796.'0901—dc22 2006032995 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2007 by Nigel B. Crowther All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006032995 ISBN-10: 0–275–98739–6 ISBN-13: 978–0–275–98739–8 ISSN: 1932–1406 First published in 2007 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
RMZ coniugi amatissimae
Contents
Figures Preface Timelines for Ancient Civilizations Introduction 1. The Far East: China, Japan, and Korea 2. The Middle East (Excluding Egypt) 3. 4. 5. Egypt at the Time of the Pharaohs Minoan Civilization Mycenae and Homer
ix xi xv xxi 1 15 25 34 40 45 57 78 83 87 95 103 124 134 140 146
6. The Ancient Olympic Games 7. Ancient Greek Athletics 8. The Etruscans in Ancient Italy 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Roman Games and Greek Athletics Roman Recreations and Physical Fitness Recreational Areas in Rome: The Baths and Campus
Nigel B. Crowther
PRAEGER
Sport in Ancient Times
Recent Titles in the Praeger Series on the Ancient World Daughters of Gaia: Women in the Ancient Mediterranean World Bella Vivante
SPORT IN ANCIENT TIMES
Nigel B. Crowther
Praeger Series on the Ancient World Bella Vivante, Series Editor
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crowther, Nigel B. Sport in ancient times / Nigel B. Crowther. p. cm. — (Praeger series on the ancient world, ISSN 1932–1406) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-10: 0–275–98739–6 (alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978–0–275–98739–8 (alk. paper) 1. Sports—History. I. Title. GV571.C76 2007 796.'0901—dc22 2006032995 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2007 by Nigel B. Crowther All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006032995 ISBN-10: 0–275–98739–6 ISBN-13: 978–0–275–98739–8 ISSN: 1932–1406 First published in 2007 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
RMZ coniugi amatissimae
Contents
Figures Preface Timelines for Ancient Civilizations Introduction 1. The Far East: China, Japan, and Korea 2. The Middle East (Excluding Egypt) 3. 4. 5. Egypt at the Time of the Pharaohs Minoan Civilization Mycenae and Homer
ix xi xv xxi 1 15 25 34 40 45 57 78 83 87 95 103 124 134 140 146
6. The Ancient Olympic Games 7. Ancient Greek Athletics 8. The Etruscans in Ancient Italy 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Roman Games and Greek Athletics Roman Recreations and Physical Fitness Recreational Areas in Rome: The Baths and Campus