Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The future of democracies in the world

https://goo.gl/PMegwh
Harvard government lecturer Yascha Mounck studies the stability of democracies in the world today and concludes that it doesn't look good--contrary to conventional wisdom that says once a country goes democratic it's unlikely to go back. He talks about Venezuela, Poland, the EU generally.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Another Blog about Ancient Olympics

http://ancientolympics.arts.kuleuven.be/rings_eng.html
This one is from Belgium, by two ancient-history professors at Leuven.
http://www.penn.museum/sites/olympics/olympicintro.shtml
Large site from Univ. of Pennsylvania Museum about the ancient Games.

Blog post on Disabled Athletes in the Ancient World

https://ancientandmodernolympics.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/disabled-athletes-in-the-ancient-world/
I have just found this blog (Ancient and Modern Olympics), which is quite useful. The author is a professor at the Univ. of St. Andrews in Scotland and ancient sports seems to be his specialty. This entry describes the very few instances we know from antiquity--Greek or Roman--where disabled people competed in athletics. Not surprisingly, they were mainly "novelty" acts: dwarf gladiators, for example. I continue to be intrigued by the topic of disabled athletes, however, because surely many people suffered disabling injuries in war, injuries which cannot have been considered shameful or disgraceful. I'd think the man injured in the service of his country, but recovered, might continue to participate in physical exercise, especially if his old injury did not leave him incapable or further service. At the gym you'd have seen men with scars, limps, or imperfect limbs due to battle injuries. Maybe they didn't go on to compete in the Olympics, but maybe they did. Spartans, after all, were liable for military service until the age of 60! They must have had scars, warped limbs, limps, arthritis, etc., but they still had to train with their unit. Of course, at the moment, I'm just spouting off about this topic and haven't really researched it. Stay tuned.

Full text of Lucian's Anacharsis

https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/l/lucian/works/chapter43.html
A barbarian visits Athens and learns about sports culture.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

The Olympic Museum in Switzerland

https://goo.gl/hHfN06

Olympic Odyssey (New York Times)

https://goo.gl/y5SBsN

"Strange Rites of the Ancient Olympics" (Wall Street Journal)

https://goo.gl/KSAo54

Defunct events from the early modern Olympics

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/painting-art-at-the-olympics_us_57a20960e4b08a8e8b603c4e

Review of several books about ancient Olympics

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2004/10/21/the-myth-of-the-olympics/

Facebook: Following Hadrian: picture of stadium at Olympia

https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian/posts/976203005839310

Bribes at the ancient Olympics?

https://goo.gl/3Xl58S

Olympics: did Michael Phelps tie a record from antiquity?

https://goo.gl/n28NzL

Red-figure cup with picture of athlete (Getty Villa)

https://goo.gl/TZKZ4D

Getty Villa Blog: Guide to Ancient Olympics

https://goo.gl/hcw9lx
Or try this link: http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/grit-money-glory-olympics-then-and-now/

Victory songs from ancient Olympics

https://goo.gl/x9J7XU

Ancient Olympics: Sponsorship Deals for Athletes

https://goo.gl/R6arPf