Crowther (classical studies, U. of Western Ontario, Canada) provides a historical overview of sport as a cultural practice around the world from about 3000 BCE to the Middle Ages, mentioning nonphysical recreations and games occasionally but concentrating on "activities that embrace contests, skill, training, energy, and fitness. The survey, organized by geography, discusses such topics as early forms of polo and golf in China, sumo wrestling in Japan, bull leaping and boxing in Crete, Homeric descriptions of Ancient Greek sport, Roman gladiatorial combats and chariot racing, and team ball games in Mesoamerica, among many others. The range of themes that arise is similarly broad and includes such issues as bribery, cheating, ideals, amateurism and professionalism, violence, ritual, social class, tourism, and war. Distributed in the US by the U. of Washington Press. Annotation #169;2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Crowther (classical studies, Univ. of Western Ontario, where he is director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies) provides here the second volume in the "Praeger Series on the Ancient World," which is aimed at the nonspecialist and general reader. Crowther's broad sweep includes the role of sports in ancient Egypt and the Middle East, early China and Japan, and even Mesoamerica. He focuses on Greek athletics (especially the Olympics) and Roman contests (especially spectator sports) and their use for political purposes, and he expands his discussion to sport in the Byzantine Empire, particularly charioteering. Other chapters emphasize social issues, and include a comparison of noted Greek, Roman, and Byzantine athletes and a discussion of the changing role of women in sport. Crowther's main themes include amateurism and professionalism, fair play, crowd behavior, politics, class, and sexuality. He includes a time line and a brief annotated list of further readings, but no notes. Crowther seems current with relevant sources, so one regrets his failure to name the authorities he discusses. Excellent graphics. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-/upper-division undergraduates; general readers. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates. Reviewed by S. A. Riess. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Nigel B. Crowther is Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Western Ontario. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Figures	ix
Preface	xi
Timelines for Ancient Civilizations	xv
Introduction	xxi
1 The Far East: China, Japan, and Korea	1
2 The Middle East (Excluding Egypt)	15
3 Egypt at the Time of the Pharaohs	25
4 Minoan Civilization	34
5 Mycenae and Homer	40
6 The Ancient Olympic Games	45
7 Ancient Greek Athletics	57
8 The Etruscans in Ancient Italy	78
9 Roman Games and Greek Athletics	83
10 Roman Recreations and Physical Fitness	87
11 Recreational Areas in Rome: The Baths and Campus Martius	95
12 Roman Gladiators	103
13 Roman Chariot Racing	124
14 The Byzantine Empire	134
15 Three Sporting Heroes of the Ancient World	140
16 Women and Sport: Atalanta and the "Gladiator Girl"	146
17 Greco-Roman Ball Games and Team Sports	154
18 Mesoamerican Ball Games	160
Further Readings	169
Index	177

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.