Beauty, Bravery, Blood and Glory: Ancient Virtues and Vices in Modern Popular Culture

Ancient Greece and Rome are rarely depicted objectively in modern popular culture. Sometimes these ancient cultures, epitomised by smooth white marble and classical beauty, are idealised and glorified. More commonly, they are depicted as wicked and corrupt, decadent and licentious, characterised by excessive drinking, the violence and bloodlust of the arena, sexual deviance and a lust for world domination.  Intertwined with these characterisations are other groups, notably Jews and Christians, who may be depicted as foils to the pagan population.  Portrayals of ancient Judaism and Christianity also often present exaggerated ideals of heroism and virtue in popular culture.  This conference aims to explore the way particular virtues and vices are considered to be particularly representative of the ancient world, and to reflect upon how these virtues and vices are portrayed in twentieth and twenty-first century popular culture, in all its forms and media, including cinema, television, radio, literature, comics, advertising, the internet and video games. 

For further information please contact Eran Almagor ([email protected]) or Lisa Maurice ([email protected]).