This course studies ancient Greek athletics and the Olympic games. Students use historical, literary, and archaeological approaches to study how the Greeks celebrated and memorialized their athletes; how athletic prowess was connected to moral and civic virtue; the technologies by which the Greeks measured athletic performance; and the ways fans and spectators responded to competitions. Special emphasis will be given to the development of the Olympic games and their social, political, and religious function in Greek society and in their modern instantiation. All readings are in English; no knowledge of Greek is required.