HUM 216 — Athletics in the Ancient World
A survey of ancient events that emphasizes the role of sports in ancient societies. The course focuses on various aspects of athletics and provides a comparative examination of ancient and modern sports activities and athletic values. Some topics will include: sportsmanship in the ancient world, rules of the games, training and competing, women in ancient athletics, religion in ancient athletics, and athletics in ancient myth. Students will examine and discuss many types of ancient evidence, including readings in translation from several ancient literary texts, paintings, sculpture, and archeological remains. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.