ABSTRACT

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|13 pages

Ancient Rome, Cinema, and History

chapter 2|20 pages

Projecting Ancient Rome

chapter 3|39 pages

Spartacus

Testing the Strength of the Body Politic

chapter 4|37 pages

Cleopatra

Spectacles of Seduction and Conquest

chapter 5|37 pages

Nero

Spectacles of Persecution and Excess

chapter 6|36 pages

Pompeii

Purging the Sins of the City

chapter 7|10 pages

A Farewell to Antiquity