NationalGeographic.com
Stefan Lovgren and Ted Chamberlain
Updated July 27, 2012
Greek games rife with prostitution, sacrifices, doping—and legendary athleticism.
Naked ambition: Athletics and entertainment intertwine on an ancient Greek vase.
As if raw athleticism weren't enough, the ancient Olympics were the "total pagan entertainment package," kicked off with an opening ceremony as memorable in its way as anything in 2012 London, says Tony Perrotet, author of The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games.
A "Woodstock of antiquity" followed, with nonexistent sanitation, pervasive prostitution, broken bones, animal sacrifice, and even doping. Also sports.
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