{"product_id":"the-ancient-olympics","title":"The Ancient Olympics","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle for a prize'. After reading this book, no one will see the Olympics as a graceful display of Greek beauty again, but as war by other means. Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were - fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn and even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, and a number of athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested always bitterly and often bloodily, the ancient Olympics were not an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far removed from the battlefield.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nigel Spivey","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43528630009917,"sku":"9780199602698","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0597\/7689\/2989\/files\/9780199602698.jpg?v=1788086218","url":"https:\/\/www.palmleaf.com.au\/products\/the-ancient-olympics","provider":"Palmleaf","version":"1.0","type":"link"}