Over the past four years, I've really enjoyed exploring how the classical world has influenced seemingly everything in the modern world, from literature and dance to politics and film - but all good things must come to an end. I'm coming up to my Masters thesis deadline and will be starting my PhD soon, so… Continue reading Finis.
After my last post on Ben Hur, we’re back at the movies this week to celebrate the anniversary of another Oscar-winning film set in ancient Rome – Gladiator. The story goes that, before his death, philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius asks his general Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, to temporarily become emperor after him, in order to… Continue reading Are You Not Entertained?
The Oscars are back! In this two-reel special, I'll be looking at two famous films, both of which not only won the Oscar for Best Picture, but are also set in the most cinematic backdrop of all - ancient Rome. Towards the end of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Rome was ubiquitous on the silver… Continue reading Lights, Camera… Action!
For most of us, the name ‘Spartacus’ conjures memories of the epic 1960 ‘sword and sandal’ film, which was directed by Stanley Kubrick and starred Kirk Douglas as Spartacus, the gladiator who led a huge, but ultimately unsuccessful, slave revolt against the Roman state in 73-70 BC. The film’s most famous moment is undoubtedly the… Continue reading I am Spartacus
Today would have been the 127th birthday of Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston and, since we could all do with some escapist films at the moment, what better time to explore the influence of classical mythology on modern American superhero films?
The annual Comic Relief show should have taken place today – but, like everything else at the moment, it’s unfortunately had to be postponed, and is now scheduled for February 2021. No need to despair though, as there are still plenty of classic (in both senses of the word) comedies available for your amusement and edification!
Happy Birthday Livia! The first empress of Rome, wife of the emperor Augustus, is 2077 years old today - so what better way to celebrate her birthday than with an extended blogpost exploring the most famous modern portrayal of Livia, namely Robert Graves’ pioneering 1934 novel, I, Claudius
You might know that Draco’s name means dragon or snake, but did you know that the star of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander, also has a classical background to his name? David Colbert, in The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter, points out that Scamander’s full name – Newton Artemis Fido Scamander… Continue reading Where to Find Them?
If you happen to switch on your TV and see gold lamé bikinis, natty leather skirts and plenty of fake-tanned flesh on display then you’re not unexpectedly watching ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – the reality is much, much worse. You’re watching ‘Bromans’ the screamingly ridiculous new reality program on ITV2, in which eight modern day ‘lads’… Continue reading Power Struggles
Contacting the Classics 