Ancient Rome and Modern America / Edition 1

by Margaret Malamud

Overview

Ancient Rome and Modern America explores the vital role the narratives and images of Rome have played in America’s understanding of itself and its history.

• Places America’s response to Rome in a historical context, from the Revolutionary era to the present
• Looks at portrayals of Rome in different media: writing, architecture, theatre, painting, World’s Fairs and Expositions, and film
• Beautifully illustrated with over 40 high quality photographs and figures

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405139342
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/10/2008
Series:	Classical Receptions
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

THE AUTHOR

MARGARET MALAMUD is associate professor of ancient history and Islamic Studies at New Mexico State University. She is co-editor of Imperial Projections: Ancient Rome in Modern Popular Culture (2001).

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Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Acknowledgments x

Introduction 1

1 Exemplary Romans in the Early Republic 9

2 Working Men’s Heroes 34

3 Rome and the Politics of Slavery 70

4 Corporate Caesars and Radical Reformers 98

5 Manifest Virtue 122

6 The Pleasures of Empire 150

7 Screening Rome During the Great Depression 186

8 Cold War Romans 208

9 Imperial Consumption 229

Epilogue 253

Bibliography 261

Filmography 279

Index 280

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"An excellent and stimulating overview of the abiding vitality of Rome as a model and inspiration for American culture, both high and popular. A pioneering work of remarkable range."
–Karl Galinsky, University of Texas, Austin

"With a keen eye for popular culture, Malamud shows how Americans from Valley Forge to Caesars Palace have used ancient Rome to define themselves."
–Caroline Winterer, Stanford University

"Rome represents all that America wishes not to be and yet also mirrors its aspirations and pride. Malamud has adroitly revealed the multiplicity of American society that its patriotic and commercial images have often hidden."
–Arthur Pomeroy, Victoria University of Wellington

Editorial Reviews

"Malamud’s analysis provides a key to understanding why the US party system aligns itself with certain issues. To be read by all Americans, as history or a warning. [It is] not just another United States as New Rome, but [has] clear, meaningful comparisons. [It] clarifies our current political trajectory." (About.com (Ancient History Guide), November 2008)

From the Publisher