This anthology tries to communicate some of the nineteenth century fascination for Antiquity- the way it was evident in historical fiction, paintings and historical texts of the period - to a modern audience. When the interest faded and the old classics vanished from school books, the world was left with the impression that this past attraction to Antiquity was founded on obsessions with meters and grammar, and languages that were no longer spoken. But in the world of Ancient Greece & Rome, the Victorian school boy found much entertainment, including both violence and eroticism. And past educators, writers and artists displayed an enthusiasm that was later ignored. The book also includes some primary sources, such as the letters of Seneca, poetry by Catullus and Sappho.
The book was compiled by Michael Henrik Wynn, the editor of Historyradio.org