Athletries: The Untold History of Ancient Greek Women Athletes (Paperback)

by Anne Reese (Author), Irini Vallera-Rickerson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From women bull-jumping in Minoan Crete and ancient Sparta-where girls wrestled in the nude alongside boys-to women competing in full armor in chariot races, this book presents ancient women as much more than sisters, wives, and mothers. Focusing on an area that has long been dominated by men, this book documents women's participation in the ancient Greek world of sports in an effort to reconstruct and present a full and equitable picture of women in history as capable, independent thinkers and valuable contributors to ancient Greek society. Included is a complete list gathered from ancient texts, inscriptions, art, and artifacts of women winners and the festivals and events in which they were victorious.

About the Author
Anne Reese studied anthropology at the University of Washington in Seattle. Irini Vallera-Rickerson is a tenured professor of art history and the former art gallery director at Orange Coast College. They both live in Orange County, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Nightowl Publications (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971498407
• ISBN-13: 978-0971498402
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #565,050 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Laurel Wreath for Athletries, August 19, 2003

By	Troy Harmon (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

Athletries is a well-illustrated, well-versed panorama of the ancient Olympic games with copious historical documentation. Moreover, besides its excellent review of the games generally, this book specifically details the role that women played in those ancient tournaments, placing them back on their earned pedestals, trumping the too-long-held assumption that women were non-existent beyond the hearth of the ancient world. The inclusion of copies of the actual Ancient Greek inscriptions (translated into Modern Greek and English), evincing the triumphs of women athletes, establishes this book's credibility in stone. The authors even include a pronunciation guide for the "it's-all-Greek-to-me" crowd, making an already accessible book more so. With the coming Olympic games, to be held once again in Athens, Greece, the timing of a book that reviews that competition's history is ideal--to enlighten readers that the spirit of that ancient contest was one shared by both men and women is essential.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greek Women Athletes, May 28, 2003

By	Vinta Shumway (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I read this book in our college library. Though it was obvious that the authors had done a lot of research, the book was easy to read and included great graphics. I came away with a deep appreciation for the role of women in this ancient society and in the history of the world. This is a book that would appeal to both men and women and to all ages, including young adults. It should be in public and academic libraries.

5.0 out of 5 stars Track and Field, March 27, 2008

By	Ki Ki Dowd "Ki Ki Dowd" (Silicon Valley CA USA) - See all my reviews

With the Summer Olympics looming, this is a wonderful and timely book on the history of women athletes. Well-written and well-organized, it a valuable addition to anyone's library.