The Ancient Guide to Modern Life by Natalie Haynes is an exploration of how ancient civilisations continue to resonate in our contemporary world.
Throughout the book, the author reveals surprising parallels and insights that enrich our understanding of politics, culture, and society today.
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Book Blurb
It’s time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn’t simply a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humour, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all.
Whether political, cultural or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it’s the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series The Wire or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago.
About the Author
Natalie Haynes is a British author, broadcaster, and classicist who has written several novels and non-fiction books about Greek mythology. She is known for retelling well-known tales with a feminist twist.
She has written and performed several series of her BBC Radio 4 show, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics. In 2015 she was awarded the Classical Association Prize for her work in bringing classics to a wider audience.
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