What the Greeks Did for Us

An enjoyable, accessible exploration of the legacy of ancient Greece today, across our daily lives and all forms of popular culture Our contemporary world is inescapably Greek. Whether in a word like pandemic, a Freudian state of mind like the Oedipus complex, or a replica of the Parthenon in a Chinese theme park, ancient Greek culture shapes the contours of our lives. Ever since the first Roman imitators, we have been continually falling under the Greeks spell. But how did ancient Greece spread its influence so far and wide? And how has this influence changed us? Tony Spawforth explores our classical heritage, wherever its to be found. He reveals its legacy in everything from religion to popular culture, and unearths the darker side of Greek influencefrom the Nazis obsession with Spartan racial purity to the elitism of classical education. Paying attention to the huge breadth and variety of Hellenic influence, this book paints an essential portrait of the ancient worlds living legacyconsidering to whom it matters, and why.