From the *Iliad*, Homer’s epic poem about the Trojan War, to contemporary comic books, this catalog tracesthe evolution of athletic competitions in antiquity. Originally held as funeral games in honor of the deceased, they included a variety of events: chariot racing, armed combat or bare-knuckle fighting, archery, javelin throwing… events that were partially incorporated into the Olympic Games, held in honor of Zeus. Originally sacred games, they evolved toward the end of the Roman Republic and during the Empire into spectator sports, the most famous of which were chariot races and gladiatorial combat.

285 pages – 17.5 cm x 24.5 cm – Hardcover – ISBN 2-87149-064-3