Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World
Winner of the 2008 Book Award of the North American Society for Sport History"A masterful compendium of our current state of knowledge in the ever-expanding field of ancient sport, covering a wide range of historical periods and civilizations. As such,Sport and Spectaclewill become an indispensable work of reference for students in courses on ancient sport and researchers who are not very familiar with the field. At the same time, Kyle is cognizant of the latest scholarship and engages with it closely, often in an insightful and original manner. As a result,Sport and Spectacleis also an invaluable scholarly contribution ... In short, this is a book written with knowledge, enthusiasm and wit. It will be enjoyed and employed for decades to come."International Journal of the History of Sport<!--end-->“A pioneer in the resurgence of research on Greek sport … No-one is better qualified to write an English-language synthesis on sport and spectacle in the ancient world. This book does not disappoint … Whatever place and time Kyle examines, fresh and persuasive insights abound.”Bryn Mawr Classical Review"Here one will find not only impressive breadth of coverage (from 2000 BC Mesopotamia to the banning of gladiatorial combats in AD 404), but also detailed analysis based upon a solid theoretical platform of ancient sport studies."Greece and Rome“There are many plums in this rich and well-illustrated pudding of a book. . . Do not hesitate to put in your thumb.”Paul Cartledge, Times Higher Education Supplement“Donald Kyle has given us both a broad overview and a richly detailed examination of ancient sport. It is a mature work, the result of a lifetime of research into the subject, and an extremely important addition to it. This book brings us the current status of our knowledge and will have lasting importance.”Stephen G. Miller, University of California, Berkeley