The Future of the Classical by Salvatore Settis

The Future of the Classical by Salvatore Settis

Every era has invented a different idea of the 'classical' to create its own identity. Thus the 'classical' does not concern only the past: it is also concerned with the present and a vision of the future.

"Ably rendered into accessible English and intended for a broad readership both within classical studies and outside the fieldIt is an excellent, thought-provoking essay."

James Porter, Journal of Roman Studies

"A thought-provoking and very readable book, especially in light of the recent debate regarding the future of the Ancient History A-Level."

Anastasia Bakogianni, Journal of Classics Teaching

"This is a terrific book – the fundamental statement we have long been hoping for, that confronts the European Classical heritage with the full complexity of its resonance in the age of globalization and postmodernity. It is brief, punchy and bright – very learned, but wearing its learning lightly, engaged, committed, always enthusiastic. Settis writes as a great authority immersed in the living Classical tradition, yet very sensitive to its swathe of receptions (art historical, architectural, poetic and historiographic, as well as literary). He leads us through a dazzling and hugely stimulating confrontation with the deep pasts and the futures of the Western tradition."

John Elsner, University of Oxford

"Salvatore Settis seeks a contemporary answer to Arnaldo Momigliano’s question: why study ancient history? In this dynamic and urgent series of chapters, Settis considers the classical in a global setting. European culture is seen to be demarcated by its rhythmic returns to classical civilization as an “elsewhere” of both time and space. Settis places classicism under scrutiny as a cultural project, rather than revering it as an icon, and argues that, through the classical, myth is absorbed into history. The deep tradition of cycles of death and rebirth unique to European history offers rich opportunities for viewing the past as alien, and therefore capable of providing a wider understanding of “otherness.” This provocative text takes nothing for granted."

Elizabeth Cropper, National Gallery of Art

S. Settis, Director, Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780745635996
ISBN 10	0745635997
Title	The Future of the Classical
Author	Salvatore Settis
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Year published	2006-08-22
Number of pages	104
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.