Olympia: Warrior Athletes of Ancient Greece - Hardcover

Blacklock, Dyan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802787908 ISBN 13: 9780802787903

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2004

Synopsis

In the eighth century B.C. the city-states of Greece were in a constant state of war, until King Iphitus stopped the blood-shed by reviving an ancient tradition-an athletic contest to honor the gods. A truce was declared, so the warring groups could come together in peace to compete at the sacred grove at Olympia. Those games would survive for hundreds of years becoming the inspiration for our modern Olympic Games. The site of Olympia will forever be revered as the birthplace of a great tradition that still unites the world in the spirit of peace and athletic competition. With spectacular illustrations, Olympia revisits those early games-the holy rituals, the chariot racing and equestrian events, the ancient pentathlon, the wrestling, the boxing-all the skills of war that readily developed into the challenge of sport. Dyan Blacklock and David Kennett bring to life the sights, sounds, and excitement of this age-old, sacred tradition.

About this title

About the Author:

Dyan Blacklock is a writer and a publisher. She has written a number of books for children including Pankration: The Ultimate Game, an adventure novel set in Ancient Greece, and Nudes & Nikes: Champions and Legends of the First Olympics, a history of the Olympic Games. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

David Kennett has worked as a freelance artist, a designer, and an art director. He is now a full-time book illustrator whose previous books include The King's Gift and Lucky I Have My Umbrella. He lives in Glenside, Australia, a suburb of Adelaide.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4-7-An enticing look at the ancient Olympics. At first glance, the book resembles a graphic novel-each page looks like a jumble of illustrations accompanied by several lines of text along the bottom. Closer inspection reveals one or several uniquely rendered, fascinating black-and-white or full-color illustrations per page. The depictions are brilliant-naked athletes participate in races, wrestling, and so on. All illustrate multiple aspects of an event or the background information provided. The text begins with a succinct explanation of the origin of the games, all related to warfare, and all honoring the Greek gods. It discusses who the eligible contestants were and who could attend. Each of the five days of events is covered with mention of some of the ceremonies, rituals, and animal sacrifices that took place. Athletic events including the pankration, a violent form of wrestling that had just two rules-no biting or eye gouging-are also considered. A well-defined map reveals where the action took place. There is also a clear, less colorful map of Olympia itself. Recent titles such as Hadyn Middleton's Ancient Olympic Games (Heinemann Library, 2001) and Stewart Ross's The Original Olympics (Peter Bedrick, 2001) pale in comparison to this clever introduction.

Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0802787908
• ISBN 13: 9780802787903
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Kennett David