Course Description: A diachronic study of Greek sports and athletic festivals of the historical period (776 BC through AD 391) and their antecedents (prehistoric Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia) through the use of literary, art historical and archaeological evidence. In addition to the Olympics, other panhellenic (e.g., Pythian, Isthmian and Nemean) and more localized (e.g., Panathenaia in Athens) festivals will also be included. Consideration will also be given to the revival of the Olympics in Athens in 1896 and comparison of modern versus ancient Olympics. The course will include illustrated lectures and discussions as well as oral reports and field demonstrations by students and will culminate with Davidsoniad VII initiated in AD 2004.
- Teacher: Michael Toumazou