Classics: Why It Matters review: Neville Morley on the importance of the ancient


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Classics: Why It Matters


Neville Morley


Classics: Why It Matters. By Neville Morley.

Classics: Why It Matters. By Neville Morley.


Photo: Supplied

Polity, $21.95


Neville Morley opens his account of why the study is still important by emphasising the negatives: that Latin-spouting scholars have often been synonymous with elitism, snobbism and imperialism. So, it matters because it is problematic and still pervasive, as in today’s Latin-tweeting Tories. As he progresses, in easy reading style (his essay is also a snapshot of the evolution of Classics), his argument takes on layers, acquires qualifications within qualifications, and eventually – after rejecting simplistic ideas of how the past can enlighten the present – comes to a nuanced position that includes the vital role of classical studies in understanding the complexity of history, antiquity expanding our knowledge of the human. In short, there are answers to the initial question, but not the simple ones that people often demand.


Article source: http://watoday.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/goat-yoga-what-more-could-you-want-20170825-gy44y5.html

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