American interpretations of ancient Classical history

American interpretations of ancient Classical history

Presenter(s)

Hannah Bordeau, Charlotte Capuano, Erin Pinto

Comments

2:50-3:30, Kennedy Union 331

Description

This panel discussion is organized around the common question how Americans have interpreted ancient Classical history in political discourse and popular culture. The audience will be asked to recall and reflect on their own encounters with very old history. In addition, panelists will summarize case studies they are working on:Hannah Bordeau focuses on the inspiration that framers of the US constitution drew from Roman history. The Roman Republic’s decline, marked by power concentration and the erosion of checks and balances, served as a lesson for the founding fathers, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to constitutional safeguards.Charlotte Capuano discusses the use of ancient Greek and Roman themes and imagery in the book series The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. From this analysis, it emerges that Collins is using the popular ideas of the Roman empire to compare it to the modern day United States Government.Erin Pinto takes close look at the translation of ancient Greek and Roman myths into contemporary Middle Grade Urban Fantasy novels, focusing on the early Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, by Rick Riordan. This study draws upon contradictory tellings and retellings of the same myths to examine what is considered ‘heroic’ and ‘good.’Cumulatively, the case studies and common questions asked in this panel highlight the broad appeal of ancient history in American culture that is mainly used as a metaphor for contemporary political discussions.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Course Project - HST 304 M1

Primary Advisor

Dorian Borbonus

Primary Advisor's Department

History

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Critical Evaluation of Our Times; Scholarship; Traditions

American interpretations of ancient Classical history

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