The Rest Is History 105. Classics
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Oct 7, 2021 Join Professor Mary Beard, a distinguished classicist from Cambridge University, as she delves into the evolving legacy of ancient Greece and Rome. The conversation spans the bizarre imagery of Dante’s Hell featuring Julius Caesar and the controversial calls to cancel Classics in modern times. Mary highlights the enduring influence of classics on literature and culture, questions the elitism in classical studies, and even entertains a humorous debate about whether Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar would dominate in a historical showdown.
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Rome's Legacy of Power
- Rome, more than Greece, is associated with power and prestige in post-Roman history.
- The rediscovery of Greece gained traction in the 19th century, but Rome's legacy of power remains central.
Romanized Greek Myths
- Names like Hercules (vs. Heracles) and Jove (vs. Zeus) reflect the Roman lens through which Greek myths were often viewed.
- This Roman mediation influenced how these figures were perceived for an extended period.
Beyond Greco-Roman Antiquity
- The Greco-Roman focus of the Renaissance was likely inevitable due to the prevalence of Roman artifacts in Europe.
- However, limiting antiquity to Greece and Rome overlooks other influential cultures like Egypt.
