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The Ancient Olympics
Athletes, Games
and Heroes
Video Lecture by
Dr. David Gilman Romano
University
of Pennsylvania
Museum
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This video ... is very rich indeed. The potential audience ...is wide. Teachers of Classical Civilization
should not hesitate to consider its purchase"
-Bulletin of the Joint Association of Classical Teachers
"Three Stars ... Recommended for high schools, colleges & universities and public libraries."
-Video Librarian
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Scenes of wrestlers, boxers, and runners competing for the honor of an Olympic victory are familiar to fans of the modern
Olympics. However, the scenes described in this lecture took place more than 2,000 years ago. A rich history, dating back
to mythological times, gives us a fresh perspective on the origins of modern athletic competition. Many of our present day
athletic events are modeled on those of the ancient Olympics, and many of the words used in antiquity like stadium, discus,
and pentathlon are still used today. The lecturer, Dr. David Romano, with a background as an athlete and coach of track and
field, is an acknowledged expert and popular lecturer on ancient sports. Among other subjects, Dr. Romano discusses the rituals
and rules of the Olympics and explains the various events and customs of the five day Olympiad. In addition, he focuses on
the athletes and heroes and the rewards, scandals and politics that surrounded them! Through sculpture, vase paintings and
contemporary scenes of athletic competition, Dr. Romano presents a multi faceted introduction to the ancient Olympics.
The Ancient Olympics presents material directly connected to Ancient History and Religion, as well as Classical Archaeology;
in addition, its subject matter is of great value to all persons interested in athletics, ancient and modern.
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