Classical World: All That Matters

Why have ancient Greece and Rome been so influential?Modern Western European culture would have been impossible without the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. The disciplines of philosophy, drama, history, art and science all owe an immense debt to these two Mediterranean cultures. At the same time, there are aspects of this legacy that are less worthy of celebration. Slavery went hand in hand with democracy. The pursuit of beauty coexisted with breath taking acts of brutality. Classical World address two questions. Firstly, what are the distinctive features of the cultures of Greek and Roman that separate them out from other ancient civilizations? And secondly, why have these cultures been so influential on subsequent societies? This accessible and readable book will appeal both to students and general readers, giving a fascinating introduction to the Classical World – and what matters most about it.