We are all classicists—we come into touch with the classics on a daily basis: in our culture, politics, medicine, architecture, language, and literature. What are the true roots of these influences, however, and how do our interpretations of these aspects of the classics differ from their original reality? This introduction to the classics begins with a visit to the British Museum to view the frieze which once decorated the Apollo Temple a Bassae. Through these sculptures John Henderson and Mary Beard prompt us to consider the significance of the study of Classics as a means of discovery and enquiry, its value in terms of literature, philosophy, and culture, its source of imagery, and the reasons for the continuation of these images into and beyond the twentieth century. Designed for the general reader and student alike, A Very Short Introduction to Classics challenges readers to adopt a fresh approach to the Classics as a major cultural influence, both in the ancient world and twentieth-century—emphasizing the continuing need to understand and investigate this enduring subject.
About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
ISBN-13: 9780192853851
Media Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication Date: 06-15-2000
Pages: 160
Product Dimensions: 7.03(w) x 4.43(h) x 0.38(d)
Series: Very Short Introductions
Mary Beard and John Henderson both teach Classics at the University of Cambridge. Mary Beard is a fellow of Newnham College, and John Henderson is a fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
Table of Contents
1. The Visit 2. On Site 3. Being There 4. A Guide in Hand 5. Beneath the Surface 6. Grand Theories 7. The Art of Reconstruction 8. The Greatest Show on Earth 9. Imagine That 10. 'iEt in Arcadia Ego/i' Outline of Bassae Frieze Timelines Citations and Further Reading Index
