David Potter is Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Greek and Latin in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Michigan. He is also the author of Emperors of Rome.

• List of illustrations. Maps. Preface. Then and Now. Part 1 Ashes, Linen and the Origins of Sport: Introduction; Homer and the Bronze Age; Homer and Sport. Part 2 Olympia: From Myth to History; Olympia in 480 BC; The Olympic Games of 476 BC; The Festival Approaches; Winning (The equestrian events; The pentathlon and the foot races; Nudity; Pain and suffering); Remembering Victory (The athlete as hero); The Emergence of the Panhellenic Cycle. Part 3 The World of the Gymnasium: Sport and Civic Virtue; Beroia; Getting in Shape and Turning Pro. Part 4 Roman Games: Greece Meets Rome; Kings and Games; Rome and Italy; Actors and Gladiators; Caesar, Antony, Augustus and the Games. Part 5 Imperial Games: Watching; The Fan's Experience; Expectations; Crowd Noise; Dreaming of Sport; Images of Sport; Women's Sports; Gladiators (Life as a gladiator; Training and ranking; Dying; Choosing to be a gladiator); Charioteers; Athletes (Athletic guilds; Cheating); Running the Show (Administration; Athletics). Epilogue: The Long End of an Era. Bibliography. Classical Sources. Notes. Index.

'A rich, absorbing account' Independent on Sunday.