Prompt Cast
The Enduring Influence of Rome in Literature and Art
TLDR The enduring influence of Rome can be seen in the use of images of the 12 Caesars in both private and public spaces throughout history, as well as in the use of Roman emperors and figures in Christian art and literature. The study of classics should focus on critically examining the flaws and limitations of ancient civilizations and expanding beyond the traditional Greco-Roman-centered perspective.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Dante's The Divine Comedy, with its ghostly appearance of Virgil, exemplifies the enduring influence of Greece and Rome on European and world literature, as discussed by Mary Beard in her new book The Twelve Caesars.
06:07
The enduring influence of classical literature and the memory of Rome is seen in the use of images of the 12 Caesars, despite their reputation as corrupt autocrats, in both private and public spaces throughout history.
11:42
The history of Christianity is deeply intertwined with the Roman Empire, as seen in the use of Roman emperors and figures like Augustus and Nero in Christian art and literature.
17:14
Throughout post-Roman history, Rome has been seen as synonymous with power, prestige, corruption, murder, and persecution, making it the focal point when imagining the ancient world and its impact on us.
22:36
Julius Caesar reformed the calendar with the help of Egyptian experts, highlighting the interconnectedness of different ancient cultures and challenging the idea of Romano-Greek domination.
27:59
Studying the classics in the 18th and early 19th century was primarily focused on language and translation, rather than the literary or philosophical aspects, and while some saw the Roman empire as a model for British imperialism, the relationship between the two was complex and fragile, with Rome also providing a language for critiquing empire.
33:42
The classics can be used to justify both revolution and oppression, but they also have a history of critiquing imperial power and corruption, as seen in the writings of Tacitus. However, there has been a tradition of downplaying the cruelty and unfairness of the Roman world in favor of emphasizing the wonder and admiration for ancient cultures.
39:30
The Colosseum in Rome has a complex history, originally built to replace Nero's extravagant palace and later becoming a symbol of public entertainment, but it also raises questions about the enjoyment of violence and our fascination with it.
45:16
The engagement with the brutality of Roman civilization is often infantilized and there is a sense of self-righteousness when comparing our modern society to the ancient world, but it is important to recognize the complexity and not think about these issues in binary terms.
50:36
The study of classics should focus on critically examining the flaws and limitations of ancient civilizations, expanding beyond the traditional Greco-Roman-centered perspective to include the contributions of other regions, and recognizing that classics is a discipline that has always been concerned about its purpose and relevance in a modern context.
55:59
The popularity of ancient Greek tragedy in the West End demonstrates the sustained interest in classics, which is supported by the academic work done on these texts to mediate the ancient world to our own concerns.
Categories:
History
