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Sports, nationalism and peace in ancient Greece
Abstract
More than 100 years ago, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement, declared that the Olympic games should promote “international understanding, brotherhood and peace.” Was this a modern concept, a dream of Coubertin, or did it resurrect the ideals of the ancient Olympics? On the one hand, the ancient Olympic games certainly promoted in Greece a sense of unity among the independent city states, for Greece was for much of its history not a united nation but rather a collection of individual cities. Every four years the games brought together as many as 40,000 spectators, athletes, politicians, merchants and cultural figures to a festival that celebrated not only sports but also religion—since it honored Zeus and other gods. It was also a kind of trade fair, as were some of the more modern Olympics, such as the one held in Paris in 1900. The ancient Olympic games were the biggest single gathering of any kind in the Greek world, and thus their importance to the Greeks can hardly be overemphasized.
Overview
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Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
Crowther argues that the ancient Olympic games did not promote international understanding or peace in the way Pierre de Coubertin claimed for the modern movement: they were exclusively Greek in participation, and the Olympic truce was an armistice for safe passage rather than a cessation of wars. Instead, Greek sport was closely bound up with preparation for war and with rivalry between Greek city states rather than between nations.
Key findings
- The ancient Olympics were "entirely national in outlook," admitting only those of Greek birth and citizenship; non-Greek names appear in victory records only after the Roman conquest of 146 BC, which the author attributes to external political pressure rather than idealism.
- The Olympic truce did not stop wars: "None of the ancient Olympic games ever stopped a war." It functioned as an armistice allowing safe passage to Olympia, lasting "three months on either side of the games" at the height of Olympia's power; a similar truce was proclaimed by organizers of other Greek festivals.
- Olympic officials held supreme authority: Sparta failed to observe the truce and was fined and excluded from the games for 20 years until the fine was paid. The games were rarely interrupted over their more than 1,000-year history, though Sulla attempted to transfer the 80 BC games to Rome, and the Arcadians invaded Olympia while athletes were apparently still competing. By contrast, the modern games were canceled three times for war: 1916, 1940 and 1944.
- Sport served as training for war, especially in Sparta's Agoge and in Athens' ephebia, created in the 4th century BC for youths aged 18 to 20 as compulsory military service (later relaxed). Critics such as Plato nonetheless held that specialized athletes were useless in war because they were overtrained; Epaminondas in the third century BC permitted only running and wrestling for his soldiers.
- The games drew as many as 40,000 spectators, athletes, politicians, merchants and cultural figures, and combined sport with religion (honoring Zeus) and trade.
Methods
- A historical essay synthesizing literary and documentary evidence on Greek athletics, war and nationalism; no quantitative dataset or formal statistical analysis is used.
- Sources discussed include Homer's *Iliad* (Book 23), Pindar, Pausanias, Plutarch, Philostratus, Plato, Lucian and the Olympic victory records, alongside comparison with the modern Olympic movement and the IOC.
- The argument proceeds thematically: exclusivity of the games, the nature of the truce, sport as military training in Sparta and Athens, and shared language and ideals of war and sport.
Limitations
- The paper states that knowledge of the Spartans comes from non-Spartan sources and "may be biased," urging caution about extreme stories; it also notes that some anecdotes (e.g., Milo of Croton) may be exaggerated.
- Evident from the text: the argument rests on scattered literary testimonia rather than systematic evidence, and the author's comparisons to modern cases (Eastern European communist sport, IOC bans and boycotts) are analogies rather than tested claims.
- Evident from the text: the supplied version contains substantial OCR corruption in several passages, leaving some sentences incomplete or unreadable.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
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Claims the paper makes
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- Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2
The ancient Olympic games were rarely interrupted during their more than 1,000 year history.
“The games themselves were rarely interrupted during their more than 1,000 year history.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3
The Spartans were much less successful in the later days of the Olympics, when other Greek cities began to specialize in athletics for their own sake.
“The Spartans were much less successful in the later days of the Olympics, when other Greek cities—unlike Sparta—began to specialize in athletics for their own sake.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2
None of the ancient Olympic games ever stopped a war.
“None of the ancient Olympic games ever stopped a war.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3
The major sports of the Greek athletes were individual, such as foot races, pentathlon, boxing, wrestling, and the pancration.
“The major sports of the Greek athletes were individual, such as foot races, pentathlon (running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, the pancration”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2
The Olympic truce allowed safe passage to Olympia for athletes and spectators before and after the games.
“The truce allowed safe passage to Olympia for athletes and spectators before and after the games.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2
Some famous athletes became leaders of their cities in battle, including Milo of Croton.
“Some famous athletes even became leaders of their cities in battle, including the Olympic wrestler Milo of Croton, who apparently led his troops against a rival city dressed as Hercules, complete with club and lion skin.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1
Foreigners and other undesirables were rigorously excluded from the ancient Olympics by Olympic officials.
“Foreigners and other undesirables were rigorously excluded by the Olympic officials who jealously guarded the games.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
The earliest records of Greek sports are of events where the great Greek warriors in the Trojan War, as described by Homer in the Iliad (Book 23), show themselves to be outstanding athletes.
“It may be no coincidence that the earliest records we have of Greek sports are of events where the great Greek warriors in the Trojan War, as described by Homer in the Iliad (Book 23), show themselves to be outstanding athletes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Homer, Iliad (Book 23)
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
A major discussion in ancient Greece was whether athletics were a good training for war.
“A major discussion, however, in ancient Greece was whether athletics were a good training for war.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
About a century after Homer, a military development produced a radical change in Greek sports.
“About a century after Homer, a military development produced a radical change in Greek sports.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3
The feelings of shame in defeat were experienced both by athlete and warrior.
“The feelings of shame in defeat were experienced both by athlete and warrior.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2
The story of Milo supports the idea that great athletes made great soldiers.
“While perhaps exaggerated, this story supports the idea that great athletes made great soldiers.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
There was a similarity in the attitude towards life and death for athletes and warriors, since both expressed a desire to die in the contest rather than lose to an opponent.
“We find a similarity in the attitude towards life and death for athletes and warriors, since both expressed a desire to die in the contest rather than lose to an opponent.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3
This is the closest that the Athenians got to the Spartan style of education.
“This is the closest that the Athenians got to the Spartan style of education.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3
As celebrations of Athens, these festivals also had strong nationalist overtones.
“As celebrations of Athens, these festivals also had strong nationalist overtones.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1
The ancient Olympic games promoted a sense of unity among the independent Greek city states.
“On the one hand, the ancient Olympic games certainly promoted in Greece a sense of unity among the independent city states”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
There was a certain degree of fairness in the contests of war and sport, sometimes based on unwritten rules.
“But there was also a certain degree of fairness in the contests of war and sport, sometimes based on unwritten rules.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
This development led to an increase in the number of athletic contests in sixth-century Greece as these soldiers looked for an outlet for their military and athletic prowess.
“This development led to an increase in the number of athletic contests in sixth-century Greece as these soldiers looked for an outlet for their military and athletic prowess.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
Sports never served as a substitute for war in ancient Greece as they are often said to do in modern societies.
“Yet sports never served as a substitute for war in ancient Greece as they are often said to do in modern societies.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4
The creation of the hoplites gave birth to the gymnasium as a place for the new middle-class warriors to train.
“This gave birth to the gymnasium as a place for the new middle-class warriors to train, consisting not merely of buildings but also playing fields.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Probably not a substantial claim. 33
- It may state two separate claims as one. 27
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4The prizes for which these warrior/athletes competed at the funeral games were apparently a means of distributing the property of the dead hero, Patroclus.
“The prizes for which these warrior/athletes competed at the funeral games were apparently a means of distributing the property of the dead hero, Patroclus.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3The prowess of the ephebia was evident in the Theseia festival, where the events were even more military in nature.
“The prowess of the ephebia was also evident in the Theseia festival, where the events were even more military in nature.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4The language of war and sport is similar, but sporting images permeate the works of ancient authors much more than they do the modern.
“The language of war and sport is also similar (as in the modern world), but sporting images permeate the works of the ancient authors much more than they do the modern.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2The Roman dictator Sulla attempted to transfer the Olympic games of 80 BC to Rome for propaganda purposes.
“The Roman dictator Sulla, however, did attempt to transfer the Olympic games of 80 BC to Rome for propaganda purposes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3Elsewhere in Greece team sports were rare as pure sporting contests and were not held at any of the important festivals.
“Elsewhere in Greece team sports were rare as pure sporting contests and were not held at any of the important festivals.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3Greek athletes taunted defeated opponents, as did warriors in battle.
“We find that Greek athletes (surprisingly perhaps to a modern audience) taunted defeated opponents, as did warriors in battle.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2At the height of Olympia's power, the armistice lasted for three months on either side of the games.
“At the height of Olympia's power, this armistice apparently lasted for three months on either side of the games.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3Both Athens and Sparta depended on sports as a training for battle, and citizens were expected to keep themselves physically fit for war.
“It should be stressed, however, that both Athens and Sparta depended on sports as a training for battle, and citizens were expected to keep themselves physically fit for war.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2The Arcadians invaded Olympia and seized the sanctuary while athletes were apparently still competing, but were driven off by the Eleans.
“Earlier, the Arcadians actually invaded Olympia and seized the sanctuary while the athletes were apparently still competing in the stadium, but the invaders were driven off by the Eleans, who were conducting the festival.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3Athenian sporting abilities were celebrated in the Panathenaia festival, where several events had clear military associations.
“Athenian sporting abilities were celebrated in the famous Panathenaia festival, where several events had clear military associations.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3The Spartan emphasis on superiority and strength of character can be seen in their refusal to compete at the Olympic games or elsewhere against athletes from other cities in contests that involved submission.
“The Spartan emphasis on superiority and strength of character can be seen in their refusal to compete at the Olympic games or elsewhere against athletes from other cities in contests that involved submission.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2In a little more than 100 years, the modern Olympic games have been canceled three times because of war, in 1916, 1940 and 1944.
“In contrast, in a little more than 100 years, the modern Olympic games have been canceled three times because of war, in 1916, 1940 and 1944.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Olympic games can be meaningfully compared with the modern Olympic games for assessing international understanding and peace.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3In Sparta, athletes represented different districts of the city in two rough team sports, one with and one without a ball, and they served as an initiation into the military.
“In Sparta, athletes represented different districts of the city in two rough team sports, one with and one without a ball, and they served as an initiation into the military.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2Sparta failed to observe the Olympic truce and was fined and excluded from the games for 20 years, until the fine was paid.
“On one occasion the powerful state of Sparta failed to observe the truce, and was fined and excluded from the games for 20 years, until the fine was paid.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1Only rarely did the Greek cities unite to oppose a foreign invader in battle, as at Marathon against the Persians.
“Only rarely did the Greek cities unite to oppose in battle the foreign invader, as at Marathon against the Persians.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1Wars continued during the Olympic truce, which was more of an armistice than a general peace.
“the truth is that wars continued during the truce, which was more of an armistice than a general peace.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2The Spartan system applied not only to males but also to females, who were physically trained to produce sturdy Spartan sons.
“This system applied not only to males but also to females, who in an early experiment in eugenics were physically trained to produce sturdy Spartan sons who would become good warriors.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1The ancient Olympics were entirely national in outlook, with only those of Greek birth and citizenship being admitted.
“In contrast to the modern games, the ancient Olympics were entirely national in outlook, with only those of Greek birth and citizenship being admitted.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Greeks were a closed society, suspicious and disdainful of foreigners, whom they called barbarians.
- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Olympic games can be meaningfully compared with the modern Olympic games for assessing international understanding and peace.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3In Athens, in the 4th century BC, the ephebia was created to meet a national emergency, providing military service for youths aged 18 to 20, initially compulsory, later relaxed.
“In Athens, in the 4th century BC an organization called the ephebia was created to meet a national emergency, providing a kind of military service for youths aged 18 to 20, which was initially compulsory, although later the rules were relaxed.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3Outside the ephebia, the individual Athenian was expected to train himself appropriately, unlike in Sparta where females received no public education or sports training.
“Outside the ephebia, the individual Athenian was expected to train himself appropriately (unlike in Sparta, females received no public education or sports training).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2The Spartans were in constant readiness for war and strictly controlled by the state.
“The citizens were in constant readiness for war and strictly controlled by the state.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2A similar truce was proclaimed by the organizers of other Greek sports festivals.
“A similar truce was also proclaimed by the organizers of other Greek sports festivals.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2In Sparta, after the reforms of Lycurgus, a large part of the educational system (the Agoge) included sports as a direct preparation for war.
“In Sparta, after the reforms of Lycurgus, a large part of the educational system (the Agoge) included sports as a direct preparation for war.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4The new contests included three (Pythian, Isthmian and Nemean) of the four famous crown games, and numerous local festivals (including the Panathenaia in Athens), where the prize was monetary or material rather than a symbolic crown.
“The new contests included three (Pythian, Isthmian and Nemean) of the four famous crown games, and numerous local festivals (including the Panathenaia in Athens), where the prize was monetary or material rather than a symbolic crown.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Ancient critics never suggested there should be international sports, and never criticized excessive nationalism.
“Yet these ancient critics never suggested there should be international sports, and never criticized excessive nationalism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4These critics criticized the excessively high value society placed on athletes, their uselessness in old age, their overeating and their overspecialization.
“Among other things, they criticized the excessively high value society placed on athletes, their uselessness in old age, their overeating and their overspecialization.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Greek sports found many critics among the intellectuals of the day.
“Greek sports found many critics among the intellectuals of the day.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4All the Greeks agreed that sports of some kind were essential as training for war, even those philosophers like Plato who spoke about their ideal states and who suggested that education (including physical exercise) should extend throughout life.
“Yet all the Greeks agreed that sports of some kind were essential as training for war, even those philosophers like Plato who spoke about their ideal states and who suggested that education (including physical exercise) should extend throughout life.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4In the third century BC, Epaminondas, a famous general, allowed only running and wrestling by his soldiers, believing that these sports alone promoted agility.
“In the third century BC, Epaminondas, a famous general, allowed only running and wrestling by his soldiers, believing that these sports alone promoted agility.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Study design and conductreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3We should be cautious about believing extreme stories about the Spartans because our knowledge comes from non-Spartan sources and may be biased.
“We should be cautious about believing extreme stories about the Spartans, since our knowledge comes from non-Spartan sources and may be biased.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3The emphasis on sports and military training in Sparta can be compared with a similar phenomenon in the old communist system of Eastern Europe, and both produced a relatively high number of victories at the Olympic games.
“Even so, we can compare the emphasis on sports and military training in Sparta with a similar phenomenon in the old communist system of Eastern Europe. Both produced a relatively high number of victories at the Olympic games.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3For most of the Greeks, war was considered to be the team game.
“For most of the Greeks, war was considered to be the team game.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 3The system in the rest of Greece, including Athens, was more akin to that of the West today, with citizens less controlled by the state.
“The system in the rest of Greece, including Athens, was more akin to that of the West today, with the citizens less controlled by the state.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2It is doubtful that a superpower would actually be banned today by the IOC, for fear it would break up the Olympics.
“But it is doubtful that a superpower would actually be banned today by the IOC, for fear it would break up the Olympics.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Olympic games can be meaningfully compared with the modern Olympic games for assessing international understanding and peace.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 2The Olympic officials had supreme authority, as shown by their banning of Sparta, one of Greece's two superpowers.
“This shows the supreme authority of the Olympic officials in banning one of Greece's two superpowers.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1After the Roman conquest in 146 BC, a few non-Greeks appear in Olympic victory records, but this was due to external political pressure rather than idealism from Olympia.
“In the later days of the games, after Greece was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC, the names of a few non-Greeks do appear in the victory records, but this was doubtless because of external political pressure rather than from any idealism from Olympia to open the games to the rest of the world.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Greeks were a closed society, suspicious and disdainful of foreigners, whom they called barbarians.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 1Greek rivalry was not with other nations but with other city states within Greece, a kind of internal nationalism.
“Their rivalry was not with other nations but with other city states within Greece—a kind of internal nationalism.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Sports, therefore, were a preparation for war in ancient Greece, especially as part of the Agoge in militaristic Sparta, and as part of the military training of the ephebia in Athens (and elsewhere).
“ports, therefore, were a preparation for war in ancient Greece, especially as Dpart of the Agoge in militaristic Sparta, and as part of the military training of the ephebia in Athens (and elsewhere).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Nigel Crowther · p. 5Greek athletics did not promote peace, but the Olympic truce and those of other sporting festivals did give athletes and spectators the opportunity to practice sports unhindered.
“Greek athletics did not promote peace, but the Olympic truce and those of other sporting festivals did give athletes and spectators the opportunity to practice sports unhindered.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Olympic games can be meaningfully compared with the modern Olympic games for assessing international understanding and peace.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Premisereasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4The traditional belief was that athletics were a good training for war, and hence they became a basic part of the educational and ephebic training.
“The traditional belief was that they were, and hence they became a basic part of the educational and ephebic training.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Although the Greeks did have an aggressive nationalistic approach to foreigners, sports did not seem to influence this policy.
“Although the Greeks did have an aggressive nationalistic approach to foreigners, sports did not seem to influence this policy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The ancient Greeks were a closed society, suspicious and disdainful of foreigners, whom they called barbarians.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Premisecitation§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Some critics, such as Plato, believed that specialized athletes were useless in war because they were overtrained and unsuitable for variations in routine.
“Some critics, however, such as the philosopher Plato, believed that specialized athletes were useless in war because they were overtrained and unsuitable for variations in routine.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Plato
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Sports in Greece were often shaped by considerations of war, and the two institutions had close associations in origins, ideals and language.
“Sports in Greece were often shaped by considerations of war, and the two institutions had close associations in origins, ideals and language.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 5Sports in Greece were more than a mere preparation for war; they were also an entity in themselves, an integral part of Greek life, strongly embedded in its culture, as evidenced in its art and literature.
“Sports in Greece were more than a mere preparation for war, however. They were also an entity in themselves, an integral part of Greek life, strongly embedded in its culture, as evidenced in its art and literature.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationreasoning§ Nigel Crowther · p. 4Instead they seem to have been more a reflection of the Greek psyche.
“Instead they seem to have been more a reflection of the Greek psyche.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
The ancient Greeks were a closed society, suspicious and disdainful of foreigners, whom they called barbarians.
“Indeed, the ancient Greeks were a very closed society, suspicious and disdainful of foreigners, whom they called barbarians.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The ancient Olympic games can be meaningfully compared with the modern Olympic games for assessing international understanding and peace.
“In contrast to the modern games, the ancient Olympics were entirely national in outlook”
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Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Finley Moses I., 1976, The Olympic Games: The First Thousand Tears
- Poliakoff Michael B., 1987, Combat Sports in the Ancient World
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Sport for development and peace snakes and ladders
Webb, A., & Richelieu, A. (2015) · Qualitative Market Research An International Journal · doi:10.1108/qmr-01-2014-0011 · Cited by 19
Red Devils, Royals, and the River Thames
White, D. W., & Absher, K. (2013) · Sport Business and Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/sbm-05-2013-0011 · Cited by 11
Contemporary Advances in Sports Science
Taïar, R. (2021) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.93203 · Cited by 8
Human Empowerment between Ethics and Law
Giustina, C. D. (2021) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.96724 · Cited by 1
Racismo y Bienestar: la hibridación del movimiento eugenésico
Sáez, J. P. (2018) · Pasado y Memoria Revista de Historia Contemporánea · doi:10.14198/pasado2018.17.08
On Olympic Victors, Ancient and Modern
Dova, S. (2019) · Mouseion Journal of the Classical Association of Canada · doi:10.3138/mous.16.3.008
Zhou, Z. (2023) · Философия и культура · doi:10.7256/2454-0757.2023.4.40504
Zhang, J., Zhou, Z., & Hameed, A. R. (2023) · doi:10.11648/j.ijp.20231103.15
Hussain, U., & Ali, A. E. (2025) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s1476-285420250000027004
Metadata
- Authors
- Crowther, N.
- Affiliations
- Western University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Crowther, Nigel
- Venue
- Peace Review
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1999-12
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 585-589
- ISSN
- 1040-2659 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-9982
- OpenAlex
- W1969667263
- Semantic Scholar
- 7b9696e42f35bb3a6e45c3fde66b0e8cb2ac6c2f
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Peace Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Classics › Classical Antiquity Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Sociology, History and Politics of Sport
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Contemporary and Historical Greek Studies
- Keywords
- ancient Olympic Games, ancient Greece, nationalism, peace, Pierre de Coubertin, modern Olympic movement, international understanding, ancient Greek city, religion and sport, trade fairs, Zeus
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-02, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).
A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-02 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
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