U N I V E R S I T Y O F P E N N S Y L V A N I A
Ancient [Greek] Athletics
Classical Studies 270
Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World 413
Spring 2007
Tuesday & Thursday 12:00-1:30
All of the assigned readings may be found on reserve
in the Library of The University of Pennsylvania Museum, located on the third
floor; (*) indicates that the book is on reserve.
The following books are available to be purchased at
the University of Pennsylvania Bookstore:
- E. Norman Gardiner, Athletics of the Ancient
World, Oxford, 1930 (reprinted Chicago, 1980)
- Mark Golden, Sport and Society in Ancient Greece, Cambridge, 1998
- Judith Swaddling, The Ancient Olympic Games,
London, 1999 (second edition)
- Rachel Sargent Robinson, Sources for the History
of Greek Athletics, Cincinnati, 1955 (reprinted Chicago, 1980)
Class attendance is required. There is a research project
which will be due on April 10, as well as a midterm exam and a final exam. There
will also be several quizzes. The exams will include slide identification, short
answer and essay questions.
S Y L L A B U S
January 9
- Introduction, Organization, Bibliography.
- Evidence for Ancient Athletics.
January 11 and 16
- Athletics in Mesopotamia (Sumerians and Babylonians)
and Egypt
- Gardiner, AAW, 1-8
- *Expedition 27 (1985) 3-9.
- *Raschke, AO 26-31.
- *Romano, AMAC, 1-13.
January 18
January 23
- Athletics in Bronze Age Greece (Minoans and Mycenaeans)
- Gardiner, AAW, 9-17.
- *Gialoures, TOGAG, 13-23.
- *Coulson and Kyrieleis, Proceedings,
95-104.
January 25
- Athletics in Homer
- Golden, SSAG, 88-103.
- Gardiner, AAW, 18-27.
- Robinson, Sources,
1-29.
January 30
- Athletics in Homer, Geometric Greece
- *Raschke, AO, 13-25.
- *Gialoures, TOGAG, 24-36.
February 1
- The Rise of Athletic Festivals
- Gardiner, AAW, 28-52.
- *Gialoures, TOGAG, 37-73.
- Golden, SSAG, 1-60.
- Robinson, Sources, 56-78.
February 6
The Rise of Athletic Festivals
- *Morgan, Athletes and Oracles, 1-25.
- Gardiner, AAW, 222-229.
- Robinson, Sources, 32-55.
- SLIDE QUIZ
February 8
- The Pan-Hellenic Festivals: Olympia and Delphi
- *Raschke, AO, 79-118.
- Swaddling, AOG, 7-55.
February 13
- The Pan-Hellenic Festivals: Delphi
- MAP QUIZ
February 15
- The Pan-Hellenic Festivals: Isthmia and Nemea
- *Raschke, AO, 141-151.
- *Coulson and Kyrieleis, Proceedings, 73-86.
February 20
February 22
- The Panathenaic Festival, Athens
- *Neils, Goddess and Polis, 13-27; 77-101.
February 24
February 27
- The Panathenaic Festival, Athens
March 1
- Athletics and Art: Sculptors, Poets and Philosophers
- Athletics and Education
- Robinson, Sources, 92-107; 122-137.
- Gardiner, AAW, 72-98.
- Golden, SSAG, 74-88.
- SLIDE QUIZ
March 13 and 15
- Greek Athletic Events (running and wrestling)
- Gardiner, AAW, 128-143; 181-196
- *Gialoures, TOGAG, 155-175; 202-213.
- Golden, SSAG, 140-169.
- Swaddling, 57-88.
March 20
- Greek Athletic Events (boxing and pankration)
- Gardiner, AAW, 197-221.
- *Gialoures, TOGAG, 216-231.
March 22
- Greek Athletic Events (pentathlon)
- Gardiner, AAW, 144-180.
- *Gialoures, TOGAG,176-201.
- Golden, SSAG, 60-73.
March 27
- Greek Athletic Events (Equestrian); Games
- Robinson, Sources, 107-121.
- Gardiner, AAW, 230-238.
- Golden, SSAG, 169-175.
March 29 and April 3
- Famous Athletes, Female Athletes and Athletics
- Robinson, Sources, 156-202.
- Coulson and Kyrieleis, Proceedings, 147-152.
- Golden, SSAG, 104-140.
April 5
- Trainers, Coaches and Managers
- *Raschke, AO, 174-181.
- Robinson, Sources, 212-232.
April 10
- PAPER DUE
- Athletic Facilities
- Gardiner, AAW, 128-143.
- *Raschke, AO ,155-173
- *Romano, AMAC, 43-83.
April 12
- Athletic Facilities
- Robinson, Sources, 152-155.
- Coulson and Kyrieleis, Proceedings, 73-86.
April 17
- Prizes and Compensation
- Robinson, Sources, 203-212.
- *Neils, Worshipping Athena, 106-136
- Gardiner, AAW, 99-116.
- Swaddling, 90-106.
April 19
- Politics and Greek Athletics
- *Expedition 27 (1985) 10-21.
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