What the Greeks Did for Us

<b>An enjoyable, accessible exploration of the legacy of ancient Greece today, across our daily lives and all forms of popular culture</b><br> <br> Our contemporary world is inescapably Greek. Whether in a word like &quot;pandemic,&quot; a Freudian state of mind like the &quot;Oedipus complex,&quot; or a replica of the Parthenon in a Chinese theme park, ancient Greek culture shapes the contours of our lives. Ever since the first Roman imitators, we have been continually falling under the Greeks' spell.<br> <br> But how did ancient Greece spread its influence so far and wide? And how has this influence changed us?<br> <br> Tony Spawforth explores our classical heritage, wherever it's to be found. He reveals its legacy in everything from religion to popular culture, and unearths the darker side of Greek influence--from the Nazis' obsession with Spartan &quot;racial purity&quot; to the elitism of classical education. Paying attention to the huge breadth and variety of Hellenic influence, this book paints an essential portrait of the ancient world's living legacy--considering to whom it matters, and why.