‘Claiming the Classical: Classics and Politics in the 21st Century’ (CTC) is an international network of academics, researchers and other interested parties. Together, we work to examine and debate the politicised appropriation of classical antiquity in the twenty-first century.
Greco-Roman antiquity, far from being irrelevant in the 21st century, is regularly invoked in current political discourse. The nature of this phenomenon varies across countries and continents, yet it occurs globally. From the Spartan imagery used by white supremacists in the USA to comparisons between imperial Rome and China, classical antiquity occupies a powerful place in today’s political imagination.
These politicised ‘claims on the classical’ shape public perceptions of antiquity, as well as influencing developments within academia. Understanding them is therefore crucial both for contemporary political and cultural commentators, and also for classical researchers and enthusiasts.
The CTC network therefore aims to understand and engage with current political appropriations of the classical past. What impact do such appropriations have the on the wider public understanding of antiquity? Should academics and researchers engage with such appropriations, in what contexts, and how? We believe that addressing these questions requires collaboration across national and continental borders, and are working together to this end. We hope you will join us.
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Mapping Workshop
Friday 9th November 2018
10:00-17:00
Room G22/26, Institute of Classical Studies, Senate House, Malet Street, London
This workshop will ‘map’ how Greco-Roman antiquity is being deployed in political rhetoric in the 21st century, identifying differences across national and continental boundaries as well as across the political spectrum.
Does invoking the Spartans mean something different in the banlieues of Paris from what it means in Charlottesville, Virginia? If Europa on the bull represents internationalism in Brussels, what does it signify in Beirut, Brisbane, or Beijing? Looking internationally, does the Right make more use of classical antiquity than the Left? And if so, why?
The workshop will feature a combination of formal papers and discussion sessions. The range, extent, and nature of politicised appropriations of antiquity during the twenty-first century will be mapped; considering geographical, social, and ideological variation.
Following the workshop, we will draft a short paper, offering a ‘snapshot’ of how classics is currently being used in political discourse globally. This will be made available freely online, to inform future research.
Call for papers:
We are inviting proposals for brief papers focusing on a specific country or other defined area (15 mins), as well as for spotlight talks on particular cases (5 mins). Funds are available to support travel and accommodation for early career researchers and international participants.
Deadline: 1st July 2018
Please email your proposals to:
Naoíse Mac Sweeney (nm241@le.ac.uk)
Helen Roche (hber2@cam.ac.uk)