Neither amateurs nor professionals: The status of Greek Athletes

Mann, Christian

DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108878135.012
URL:	https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambri...
Additional URL:	https://www.academia.edu/44961099/Neither_Amateurs...
Document Type:	Book chapter
Year of publication:	2020
Book title:	Skilled labour and professionalism in Ancient Greece and Rome
Page range:	313-332
Publisher:	Stewart, Edmund ; Harris, Edward ; Lewis, David
Place of publication:	Cambridge
Publishing house:	Cambridge University Press
ISBN:	‎978-1-108-83947-1 , 1-108-83947-9 , 978-1-108-87813-5
Publication language:	English
Institution:	School of Humanities > Alte Geschichte, Archäologie (Mann 2011-)
Subject:	930 History of the ancient world to ca. 499, archaeology
Abstract:	The aim of this chapter is to question whether it is reasonable to apply the labels "amateurs" or "professionals" to Ancient Olympics, whether they fit the specific features of ancient athletics, and whether they are useful tools or mere obstacles for an understanding of the ancient phenomena. This article argues that neither of the two terms helps in understanding the social reality of ancient athletes.