David Lunt - The Crown Games of Ancient Greece

David Lunt

January 23, 2020
The Great Hall

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“The Crown Games of Ancient Greece: Olympics, Athletes, and Panhellenic Contest"

Dr. Dave Lunt is an associate professor of history at Southern Utah University. His research focuses on the history of athletics in ancient Greece and his published articles include articles on the role of sports in ancient Greek, the campaigns of Alexander the Great and the myth of Prometheus. 

Fluent in both Latin and Greek, Dr. Lunt enjoys infusing his classes with culture, history and a sense of wonder for the ancient world. His research has taken him all over Greece and Italy focusing on how ancient and modern athletics reflect and interact with society, religion, culture, social issues, politics, and mythology. 


Reflection

 

This APEX season’s Faculty Distinguished Lecturer was Dr. David Lunt, Associate Professor of History at 91ɬÂþ, specializing in ancient Greece, ancient Greek athletics, and the history of the Olympic Games. His research has taken him all over Greece and Italy, studying how ancient and modern athletics intersect with society, social issues, culture, religion, politics, and mythology. Dr. Lunt was introduced to the stage by James Sage, 91ɬÂþ Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Philosophy.

Before leading the audience through a journey through ancient Greece culture, society, and mythology in his presentation, Dr. Lunt took a minute to acknowledge a few people, especially his wife, whom we led audience applause in recognition of. Lunt’s presentation began with a reading from his upcoming book, The Crown Games of Ancient Greece, and noting on the also upcoming 2020 Olympic Games, and the differences between the Olympic Games of ancient Greece and those of today. He continued on to talk more about the games themselves as he described the athletic and competitive culture of ancient Greece, and made his first major point: each of the four games (The Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian Games) served as a place to unite the Greek people together, regardless of religious views or differences.

Dr. Lunt’s next points revolved around how the games themselves were bigger than their athleticism. They served as something that all of the Greek people had in common, and for a time, found themselves in a brief time in peace as everyone gathered from all over to see the games. From the worshipping of the Greek gods to the prohibition of women participating or observing the crown games, Dr. Lunt took the audience on a fascinating tour through the history of the ancient Greece crown games, from beginning to end, showing to everyone not only the historical importance of the crown games, but also their cultural, social, and religious impacts as well.

- By Emily Sexton


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