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Book Cover
Book
Author Craig, Steve, 1961-

Title Sports and games of the ancients / Steve Craig
Published Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2002

Copies

Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 MELB  796.093 Cra/Sag  AVAILABLE
Description 271 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Series Sports and games through history
Sports and games through history.
Contents Africa -- Asia -- Europe -- Latin America -- Middle East -- North America -- Oceania
Summary "Sudden death wasn't always a metaphor. Sports and games of antiquity developed in cultures throughout the world not only as a way of relaxing with the family and community, but as a means of learning and mastering vital survival skills in an age of greater physical duress. Skills enhanced through long distance running or archery were not entirely games, but essential skills required to stay alive in often hostile conditions. The ancients who established rules of play and competitions began with primitive balls, sticks, game boards, and archery equipment. In time, their skills were practiced in friendly competitions that evolved into our modern day marathons and Olympic events."
"Reports from 19th-century explorers, museum artifacts, and other historical documents reveal the current understanding of rules, equipment, and instructional diagrams, along with suggestions for adapting these sports and games for modern times. Divided according to 7 geopolitical regions of the world, this book covers such games as Africa's mancala and senet, the martial arts of Asia, the "log run" and Tejo of Latin America, and the boomerang and surfing of Oceania. Sports enthusiasts and students will find this volume a valuable resource for discovering the earliest beginnings of our modern day sports."--BOOK JACKET
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Subject Sports -- History -- To 1500.
Games -- History -- To 1500.
History, Ancient.
Genre/Form History.
Nonfiction
LC no. 2001050101
ISBN 0313316007