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.
Today, Joe Biden becomes president of the United States of America and across the whole world, millions are breathing a sigh of relief. But like him or loathe him, it’s undeniable that Trump’s time as president was a quite remarkable moment in American history. It’s therefore worthwhile looking back at the last four years, to… Continue reading The Last Trump
There are some historical events which are so significant that they make their way into our language. People talk about a Pyrrhic victory, in which victory is won at such a great cost that is as damaging as a defeat, without necessarily realising that the phrase has its roots in the victory of Pyrrhus of… Continue reading Crossing the Rubicon
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
Three years ago I wrote a blog post for World Philosophy Day entitled ‘Self-Help from Seneca’, for Seneca was then one of the trendiest of the classical philosophers. Now that we reach World Philosophy Day 2020 we find, however, that his crown has been stolen by a fellow Stoic, the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. To… Continue reading Meditating with Marcus
The long-awaited day has come – Suzanne Collins’ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is out today, a prequel eagerly anticipated by all fans of her bestselling Hunger Games trilogy. The new novel explores the backstory of President Coriolanus Snow – a suspiciously classically sounding name, you might be thinking, and you would be right.… Continue reading Panem et Circenses
With us all in lockdown at home, what better time to reconnect with the Classics? In times of crisis, looking back a few thousand years into the past can bring valuable perspective, as well as the comfort of humanity’s stubborn ability to survive the greatest of catastrophes.
Happy World Philosophy Day! Most people know that Western philosophy originated in ancient Greece, while many also know that our word ‘philosophy’ literally translates as ‘love of wisdom’ in Greek (φίλος = philos = love, σοφία = sophia = wisdom). The three greatest Athenian philosophers, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, stand at the foundation of the Western philosophical tradition… Continue reading Self-Help from Seneca
Europe. Few modern words are more infused with such powerful and conflicting emotions, conceptions and ideologies. Today, for instance, thousands march in cities all over the UK to protest against Britain leaving the European Union, while thousands of others vociferously defend Brexit on social media and in the press. But where does the word come?… Continue reading Are EU Dreaming?
During the last few months fierce argument has raged over statues in the US commemorating Confederate generals. This argument turned violent when neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups marched in Charlottesville to protest the removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee and killed an anti-fascist protestor there to oppose the march. This argument over… Continue reading Damn Them
Contacting the Classics 