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Confronting the Classics

Traditions, Adventures and Innovations
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( 2,373 ratings, 291 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Confronting the Classics by Professor Mary Beard offers an enlightening journey through the ancient world, intertwining detailed knowledge with engaging storytelling. Professor Beard examines key figures, events, and texts from classical antiquity, providing fresh perspectives on ancient Rome and Greece. The book serves as both a critical analysis and a captivating guide, catering to both seasoned historians and those newly interested in classical studies.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a passion for ancient history and a fascination with classical civilisations. With engaging insights and scholarly expertise, the book makes ancient stories accessible to modern readers, offering a fresh perspective on the world of the Greeks and Romans. It's perfect for those who appreciate an eloquent blend of academic depth and lively storytelling.

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A provocative tour of what is happening now in Classics.

Mary Beard takes us on an exhilarating journey through the extraordinary riches of the classical heritage, and why it still matters.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Mary Beard is one of the world's best-known classicists — a brilliant academic, with a rare gift for communicating with a wide audience both through her books and TV presenting.

In a series of sparkling essays, she explores our rich classical heritage — from Greek drama to Roman jokes, introducing some larger-than-life characters of classical history, such as Alexander the Great, Nero, and Boudicca. She invites you into the places where Greeks and Romans lived and died, from the palace at Knossos to Cleopatra's Alexandria — and reveals the often hidden world of slaves. She brings back to life some of the greatest writers of antiquity — including Thucydides, Cicero, and Tacitus — and takes a fresh look at both scholarly controversies and popular interpretations of the ancient world, from The Golden Bough to Asterix.

The fruit of over thirty years in the world of classical scholarship, Confronting the Classics captures the world of antiquity and its modern significance with wit, verve, and scholarly expertise.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Professor Mary Beard's Confronting the Classics is praised as a lively and engaging reflection on classical studies. Critics highlight Beard's ability to make ancient history accessible, pointing out her wit and scholarly depth. The book is described as both educational and entertaining, with reviewers appreciating her talent for debunking myths and reinvigorating interest in the classics.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781781250495

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 March 2014

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Mary Beard is a professor of classics at Newnham College, Cambridge, and the classics editor of the TLS. She has world-wide academic acclaim. Her previous books include the bestselling, Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii, The Roman Triumph, The Parthenon and Confronting the Classics. Her blog has been collected in the books It's a Don's Life [9781846682513] and All in a Don's Day [9781846685361]. She was in the 2014 Top 10 Prospect list of the most influential thinkers in the world.

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