Nigel Nicholson is Walter Mintz Professor of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Humanities at Reed College, where he has also served as the Dean of the Faculty. He is the author of Aristocracy and Athletics in Archaic and Classical Greece, The Poetics of Victory in the Greek West, and, with Nathan Selden, The Rhetoric of Medicine: Lessons on Professionalism from Ancient Greece. A dedicated teacher, he was named Oregon's Professor of the Year for 2004.

The book stands out for its clarity of expression and wide-ranging themes.. Overall, the volume is an engaging and thought-provoking study that is enjoyable to read.

• Introduction Part I. More-Than-Mortal Excellence 1: Making the Most of Athletics 2: Escaping the Competition 3: Beautiful (Male) Bodies 4: More Than Mortal Part II. Politics 5: Leaders 6: Born Excellent 7: Victor and City 8: Making Greece 9: Not for the Money Part III. Specific Events 10: Boxing 11: Youth Events 12: Horse Races 13: Events at the Margins Postscript

Nigel Nicholson is Walter Mintz Professor of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Humanities at Reed College, where he has also served as the Dean of the Faculty. He is the author of Aristocracy and Athletics in Archaic and Classical Greece, The Poetics of Victory in the Greek West, and, with Nathan Selden, The Rhetoric of Medicine: Lessons on Professionalism from Ancient Greece. A dedicated teacher, he was named Oregon's Professor of the Year for 2004.

The book stands out for its clarity of expression and wide-ranging themes.. Overall, the volume is an engaging and thought-provoking study that is enjoyable to read.

• Introduction Part I. More-Than-Mortal Excellence 1: Making the Most of Athletics 2: Escaping the Competition 3: Beautiful (Male) Bodies 4: More Than Mortal Part II. Politics 5: Leaders 6: Born Excellent 7: Victor and City 8: Making Greece 9: Not for the Money Part III. Specific Events 10: Boxing 11: Youth Events 12: Horse Races 13: Events at the Margins Postscript