{"product_id":"9780191655418","title":"The Ancient Olympics","description":"The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle for a prize'. After reading this book, no one will see the Olympics as a graceful display of Greek beauty again, but as war by other means.  Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were - fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn and even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, and a number of athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested always bitterly and often bloodily, the ancient Olympics were not an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far removed from the battlefield.","brand":"OUP Oxford","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47119852175600,"sku":"9780191655418","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780191655418_p0.jpg?v=1769913393","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780191655418","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}