Judith M. Barringer

This was something of an impulse grab out of the "new" section of one of the local public libraries, and I found it worth the time, What the author is trying to do is tell the story of the site, from the earliest detectable moments of ceremonial activity to how it was finally abandoned in the wake of the demise of organized pagan religion. I would note that this is not a history of the ancient Olympic games (though they are touched upon), so much as a history of construction at the site, and how it evolved as a locality. There is also some consideration about the practice of religion and culture at Olympia, with focus on Zeus as a war god, and the union between athleticism, military prowess, and essential manliness.… (mere)