1st Edition

Projecting the Past Ancient Rome, Cinema and History

By Maria Wyke Copyright 1997
    248 Pages
    by Routledge

    248 Pages
    by Routledge

    Brought vividly to life on screen, the myth of ancient Rome resonates through modern popular culture. Projecting the Past examines how the cinematic traditions of Hollywood and Italy have resurrected ancient Rome to address the concerns of the present. The book engages contemporary debates about the nature of the classical tradition, definitions of history, and the place of the past in historical film.

    Chapter 1 Ancient Rome, Cinema, and History; Chapter 2 Projecting Ancient Rome; Chapter 3 Spartacus; Chapter 4 Cleopatra; Chapter 5 Nero; Chapter 6 Pompeii; Chapter 7 A Farewell to Antiquity;

    Biography

    Maria Wyke

    "...Wyke treats the cinematic representation of the ancient world with the utmost seriousness and succeeds in developing a rigorous methodology for dealing with classical history on celluloid." -- Pheonix
    "This fascinating book analyzing films, many of them long forgotten, about ancient Rome should be welcomed by both classicists and those interested in the cinema and its historical setting... Wyke's book is an excellent addition to any library covering film studies, the classical tradition, culture and gender studies. Maria Wyke has done some fine and entertaining work." -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review