Newby, Zahra: Greek Athletics in the Roman World: Victory and Virtue.(Book review)

History: Review of New Books, June, 2006 by Hitchner, R. Bruce

Newby, Zahra Greek Athletics in the Roman World: Victory and Virtue Oxford: Oxford University Press 314 pp., $150.00, ISBN 0-19-927930-6 Publication Date: December 2005

This book is about the practice and reception of Greek athletics in the Roman Empire. Part 1, "Athletics in the Roman West," discusses the moral and political issues raised by the introduction of Greek athletics to Rome in the late Republic and early Empire and the way in which they were represented in baths and elite villas. Drawing on the literary, numismatic, and historical art evidence Newby contends that Roman literary elites, who frequently expressed ambivalence about the moral impact of Greek athletics on Roman values, did not undermine their appeal among Romans of all classes, including...

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