“In ancient Greece, entire eras were measured by Olympiads. It’s how history was arranged. The Olympics were that important.” – Tony Perrottet
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Tony discuss how the ancient games was a religious festival, now it was never delayed, and why it was important (2:00) non-sports events that happened the the ancient Games, performance enhancing potions, and Greek competitiveness (17:00); the sporting events competed in the ancient games, and how they differed from modern sports (24:00); the training and diet that went into the games, aristocrats versus commoners who competed, and which ancient Olympians are still remembered (32:00); and what non-Greeks thought to the games, Greek skeptics of the games, and what it’s like to travel to the old sites of the ancient Greek games (45:30).
Tony Perrottet (@TonyPerrottet) is the author of six books, including Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists; The Sinner’s Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe; and The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Greek Games, upon which this interview is based.
Notable Links:
- Ancient Olympic Games (sporting festival)
- Olympia, Greece (location of the ancient Games)
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia (ancient tourist attraction)
- Herodotus (ancient Greek historian)
- Pausanias (ancient Greek geographer)
- Symposium (ancient Greek drinking banquet)
- Monty Python (British comedy troupe)
- Gilgamesh (Mesopotamian mythological hero)
- Enkidu (Mesopotamian mythological hero)
- Funeral games (ancient honor ritual)
- Pankration (ancient fighting sport)
- Ben Hur (epic historical movie)
- Pierre de Coubertin (founder of the modern Olympics)
- Milo of Croton (ancient Greek wrestler)
- 300 (2007 epic historical movie)
- Battle of Thermopylae (ancient Greek battle)
- Diogenes the Cynic (ancient Greek philosopher)
- Karate gets its due at the Olympics, by Tony Perrottet (article)
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
