An enjoyable, accessible exploration of the legacy of ancient Greece
today, across our daily lives and all forms of popular culture
Our contemporary world is inescapably Greek. Whether in a word like
"pandemic," a Freudian state of mind like the "Oedipus complex," or a
replica of the Parthenon in a Chinese theme park, ancient Greek culture
shapes the contours of our lives. Ever since the first Roman imitators,
we have been continually falling under the Greeks' spell.
But how did ancient Greece spread its influence so far and wide? And how
has this influence changed us?
Tony Spawforth explores our classical heritage, wherever it's to be
found. He reveals its legacy in everything from religion to popular
culture, and unearths the darker side of Greek influence--from the
Nazis' obsession with Spartan "racial purity" to the elitism of
classical education. Paying attention to the huge breadth and variety of
Hellenic influence, this book paints an essential portrait of the
ancient world's living legacy--considering to whom it matters, and why.
