Olympic Games were incredibly popular, sold out events that ran every four years for twelve centuries. That they were so popular and so long-lived indicates that the Olympic Games held a vital place in Greek society. As Perrottet () notes, the Greek writer Epictetus saw the Games as a metaphor for human existence. As noted, the Games were a difficult experience, fraught with heat, crowds, dirt, clamor, insect infestations and other hassles. Yet, despite these hardships, they were "an unforgettable spectacle" (p. 11). Life itself has always been full of difficulty, born of our environment and the human condition, yet we persevere because we want to experience life as richly as we can. The metaphor holds well, because just as Olympic champions are those who overcome the most, Western society in particular also places emphasis on heroes and champions, those who overcome all of the challenges in order to triumph....
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