The Long Shadow of Antiquity: What Have the Greeks and Romans Done for Us?

by Gregory S. Aldrete, Alicia Aldrete

A vivid exploration of the many ways the classical world remains relevant today, this is a passionate justification of why we continue to read about and study the lives and works of the ancient Greeks and Romans.Challenging the way the phrase 'That's just ancient history' is used to dismiss something as being irrelevant, Greg and Alicia Aldrete demonstrate just how much ancient Greece and Rome have influenced and shaped our world today in ways both large and small. From the more commonly known influences on politics, law, literature and timekeeping through to the everyday rituals and routines we take for granted when we exercise, dine, marry and dress, we are rooted in the ancient world. Even the political upheaval, celebrity obsession and blurring of public and private boundaries that we see in current news betray ancient characteristics - now brought to the fore here in a new final chapter.If you have ever wondered how far exactly we still walk in the footsteps of the ancients or wanted to understand how study of the classical world can inform and explain our lives today, this is the book for you.

Genres: History, Classical Studies, Nonfiction, Greece

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2012

Reviews

[Tony K]

A broad stroke written in an academic tone. Isn’t necessarily a “fun” read, BUT it is insightful and very easy to digest. Countless cool and relevant/interesting associations from the Ancient Greeks and Romans directly linked to our every day modern life.

[Charles Dusenbury]

Past and Present; Indivisible

Very readable. The "past" is made to feel present, in that many aspects of our own contemporary daily lives were very similar and recognizable in ancient Greece and Rome, such as food recipes, socializing, apartments, and coinage. The reader feels a sense of being a participant with all those others of the "past."

[Roy]

Very thorough and comprehensive. Learned a lot. Didn’t give it higher rating because I enjoy histories and historical novels more than lists and summaries.

[Nathan Nadeau]

Decent, I like Aldrete and his courses; this is good for the lay reader