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In impromptu remarks delivered following the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy called on Americans to “tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”
With those stirring words, Senator Kennedy urged Americans to confront the violent and destructive impulses that had led to King’s murder and to channel their grief and anger into a commitment to peace, compassion and reconciliation. The phrase reflected his call for a moral and societal transformation—a collective effort to move beyond hatred, division and brutality toward a more just and harmonious society.
Kennedy’s words echoed the themes of Aeschylus’s Oresteia trilogy, which deals with cycles of violence and vengeance and the eventual establishment of justice through rational law and order. Just as the Oresteia depicts the taming of primal forces of revenge through the creation of legal institutions that promote peace and social harmony, Kennedy called on his audience to transcend the destructive cycles of violence and hatred that often accompany such moments of tragedy.
Ultimately, Kennedy was calling for a higher moral vision, urging people to reject violence and dedicate themselves to creating a world governed by empathy, unity and peace.
The Sept. 11 Memorial Museum contains an inscription from Virgil: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” In The Aeneid, this line refers to the deaths of two Trojan warriors whose bravery and sacrifice ensure that their names will be remembered throughout history.
By invoking Virgil’s phrase, the museums suggests that, like the fallen heroes in The Aeneid, the nearly 3,000 victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks will be honored and remembered for their sacrifice and the impact of that day will resonate through time. This quotation offers the dignity and gravity befitting a solemn memorial.
Somewhat similarly, classical references on governance, authority, war, diplomacy and statecraft continue to resonate in modern political and international discourse.
“Man is by nature a political animal”: Aristotle’s claim that humans are naturally inclined to form communities and organize themselves politically.
“The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”: Thucydides’s phrase is frequently invoked in discussions about realpolitik, power dynamics and international relations, illustrating the harsh realities of power and the imbalance between stronger and weaker states.
“If you want peace, prepare for war”: Vegetius’s belief that the need for military readiness as a deterrent to conflict.
“Divide and conquer”: Caesar’s strategy for weakening opponents by causing internal division.
“Who will guard the guards themselves?”: Juvenal’s phrase, frequently invoked in discussions of power, accountability and the challenge of maintaining checks on authority.
A recent essay in The Chronicle of Higher Education raises a question that begs for further discussion: Why do contemporary analysts frequently view the present through the prism of ancient Greece and Rome?
Is this simply a marker of education and sophistication, allowing some to display their erudition, even when the references are loosely connected to modern issues? Or do Greece and Rome offer principles and lessons that remain relevant today?
While the former is often the case, I want to make an argument for the latter. Despite the vast historical and cultural differences between antiquity and today, the political, ethical and aesthetic models of ancient Greece and Rome remain vital frameworks for understanding power, justice and the pursuit of the good life. These civilizations continue to shape our conception of beauty and influence contemporary challenges in politics, international relations and ethics.
Even in today’s multicultural, globally interconnected world, we must wrestle critically and analytically with this classical heritage. Classical Greece and Rome shaped foundational ideas about democracy, justice, virtue and power that still inform modern thought. Yet there is also a tendency to invoke them for their symbolic prestige rather than their direct relevance, romanticizing or selectively appropriating their ideas to bolster contemporary arguments.
For instance, Athenian democracy and the Roman Republic have had a lasting impact on modern political theory. Concepts like citizen participation, rule of law, separation of powers and civic duty underpin democratic institutions. The U.S. Constitution, heavily influenced by Roman governance, exemplifies this legacy through its system of checks and balances.
Roman legal principles, especially the universal application of written law, form the foundation of many modern legal systems. The concept of natural law—certain rights inherent to all humans—originates in Roman thought, particularly through figures like Cicero.
In international relations, discussions on imperialism and global power often draw from ancient Greece and Rome. Thucydides’s History of the Peloponnesian War, foundational to realist theory, emphasizes power politics and state self-interest, still relevant to scholars and policymakers today.
Ethics also owes much to classical antiquity. Aristotle’s virtue ethics, centered on cultivating moral virtues like courage and justice, shapes modern ethical thought. His concept of achieving a flourishing life (eudaimonia) continues to inform discussions of personal and social well-being.
The resurgence of Stoicism, through figures like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, underscores the enduring relevance of ancient philosophy in dealing with modern challenges. Stoicism’s emphasis on resilience, rationality and self-control is widely applied in contexts like mental health and leadership.
In the arts, Greek and Roman ideals of beauty, harmony and proportion have set enduring standards. From the Renaissance to modern neoclassical movements, artists and architects have drawn inspiration from classical forms. Additionally, Greek mythology and Roman history continue to inspire literature, film and theater, offering archetypes that resonate with contemporary audiences.
However, classical ideas are often used symbolically to lend credibility to modern arguments. Politicians and commentators reference Greece and Rome to draw on their perceived intellectual and moral authority, even when their teachings are selectively applied or oversimplified.
This focus on classical antiquity also risks reinforcing a Eurocentric view of history, marginalizing contributions from other civilizations. While Greece and Rome are central to Western history, the modern world is shaped by a broader range of cultures and philosophies. Emphasizing classical antiquity can obscure this diversity and romanticizing these civilizations often leads to an idealized view that overlooks their flaws—such as slavery, patriarchy and imperialism.
Moreover, many contemporary global issues—climate change, artificial intelligence, mass migration and global health crises—have no direct counterpart in the ancient world. Greece and Rome offer limited guidance for addressing these unprecedented challenges, and focusing on them may distract from developing more relevant frameworks.
While the legacies of Greece and Rome provide valuable insights, they must be balanced with a more inclusive perspective to address the complexities of the modern world.
Ancient Greece and Rome occupy a complex and often contradictory place in contemporary American society. They are revered as symbols of intellectual, artistic and cultural achievement, celebrated for their contributions to philosophy, literature, politics and the arts. Yet their ideals—particularly regarding governance, gender, race and social hierarchy—are deeply problematic by modern standards. This duality underscores both the relevance and challenges of engaging with classical antiquity today.
For many, the classical world remains a source of inspiration in areas like philosophy, art, architecture and political thought. The writings of Plato, Aristotle and Thucydides still provoke debate about ethics, governance and human existence. Classical architecture, emphasizing proportion, symmetry and order, has shaped the design of many American buildings, especially in Washington, D.C., symbolizing ideals of democracy and civic virtue.
In education, ancient Greece and Rome exemplify the humanitas tradition, which emphasizes intellectual inquiry and civic responsibility. The roots of a liberal arts education, grounded in philosophy, literature and history, trace back to this classical emphasis on cultivating well-rounded citizens.
However, the values of classical Greece and Rome often conflict with modern sensibilities. These societies were elitist, patriarchal and exclusionary, built on rigid hierarchies that divided citizens from noncitizens, enslaved people and women, who were denied political and personal agency. Aristotle’s defense of “natural slaves” and Athens’s exclusion of women from political life highlight these deep inequalities.
The classical world’s elitism, combined with its cultural insularity, presents challenges in a contemporary society that values inclusivity, diversity and equality. Revering Greece and Rome can perpetuate narrow cultural ideals, elevating Western achievements while marginalizing other civilizations. As the United States grapples with its own histories of exclusion and inequality, uncritical admiration of the ancient world becomes profoundly problematic.
At times, citing Greece and Rome functions more as a display of cultural sophistication than a genuine engagement with their ideas. References to the classics can serve as markers of education, signaling intellectual superiority, even when those connections to contemporary issues are tenuous. This tendency to show off sometimes strips classical ideas of their substantive value, reducing them to symbols of erudition.
Despite these challenges, studying classical philosophy, history, art, architecture and mythology remains profoundly valuable. Engaging with the classical world encourages critical reflection on both its achievements and limitations, allowing us to draw meaningful lessons while staying mindful of its more troubling aspects.
The classical world gave rise to some of the earliest reflections on political organization, justice, ethics and human nature—issues that still resonate today. Plato’s exploration of justice in The Republic, Aristotle’s ethics and Thucydides’s analysis of power and war continue to shape modern discourse. These works help us better understand the foundations of Western political thought and critically assess how these ideas have evolved.
Classical literature and mythology explore universal human experiences—love, power, loss, ambition and fate—that remain relevant. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, the tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides, and the mythology of gods and heroes offer timeless narratives that still inspire modern writers, filmmakers and artists. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to reveal the complexities and perplexities of human existence.
The rise and fall of ancient empires serve as cautionary tales about the fragility of political power, the dangers of imperial overreach and the potential for corruption and decline. Rome’s transition from republic to empire and its eventual collapse provide valuable insights into power dynamics, governance and leadership—issues that continue to resonate in today’s global politics.
Classical aesthetics still influence modern art, architecture and design. The Greek and Roman ideals of harmony, balance and proportion have shaped Western notions of beauty for centuries. These influences are evident in public monuments and modern fashion, where classical references remain prominent. Studying classical art and architecture not only offers insights into ancient societies but also helps us understand the evolution of aesthetic standards that still shape our world.
Rather than simply admiring Greece and Rome as paragons of civilization, we should engage critically with their contradictions and failures, particularly their exclusionary practices and reliance on slavery. A critical lens allows us to confront the underside of their legacies and reflect on how these same dynamics continue to manifest in modern societies. Acknowledging both the achievements and the flaws of the classical world fosters a more sophisticated understanding of history and avoids romanticizing the past.
Engaging with the classical world requires a critical approach that recognizes the complexity and limitations of these civilizations. While classical ideas are sometimes invoked for prestige, they continue to provide rich material for exploring enduring questions of governance, justice and human flourishing. By critically engaging with antiquity, we can draw meaningful lessons while remaining conscious of how the modern world has evolved.
The debate over the role of classical civilization in contemporary education reflects a broader tension between reverence for the past and the push for a more inclusive perspective. On one side, many view ancient Greece and Rome as pinnacles of human achievement, believing their philosophies, art and literature offer timeless truths that should form the foundation of education, architecture and cultural expression.
The rise of “classical education” in some K-12 schools reflects this reverence. This movement seeks to revive traditional teaching methods based on the educational principles of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasizes a return to a curriculum rooted in the liberal arts, focusing on reasoning, logic, rhetoric and the development of moral and intellectual virtues. Proponents see it as a counterbalance to modern education trends, which, they argue, prioritize vocational training, technology and progressive pedagogy at the expense of foundational knowledge and critical thinking.
Classical education centers on the Trivium (grammar, logic and rhetoric) and Quadrivium, ancient frameworks guiding intellectual development. It emphasizes studying the great books of Western civilization and aims not only to develop intellectual skills but also to shape students’ character and moral integrity. In addition, classical education integrates different disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding rather than treating subjects as isolated fields.
Critics, however, view classical education as a form of ancestor worship—an elitist, Eurocentric tradition that stifles innovation, reinforces social hierarchies and ignores the diversity of global perspectives.
The controversy over Columbia University’s decision to remove Ovid’s Metamorphoses from its core curriculum exemplifies this debate. Metamorphoses, a cornerstone of Western literature, explores themes of transformation, power, identity and myth through stories that have shaped art and philosophy for centuries. However, some argue that its depictions of sexual violence retraumatize survivors, making it inappropriate for a modern classroom.
There is room for debate about how to handle such representations in education, but by canceling Ovid, we may unintentionally shield students from the discomfort and critical engagement necessary to confront the moral ambiguities of the past. Doing so could limit a deeper understanding of human nature and historical sensibilities—and prevent us from confronting the realities and pervasiveness of domestic violence today.
Classical works like Metamorphoses reflect values far removed from modern ethics, portraying a world dominated by power, violence and fate, with little emphasis on individual rights or equality as we understand them today. Yet these texts are valuable precisely because they force us to confront uncomfortable realities. Engaging with their alien sensibilities allows us to explore the underside of human nature and question whether we have truly evolved beyond those tendencies or whether they persist in new forms.
Removing Metamorphoses risks fostering intellectual insularity, where only ideas that conform to modern values are deemed worthy of study. This narrows the intellectual horizon and denies students the opportunity to engage critically with history’s complexities. The goal should not be to glorify or excuse harmful ideas but to confront, analyze and learn from them.
Ovid’s tales involve power struggles, violence and betrayal, reflecting a world that can be cruel and unjust. However, they also explore resilience, transformation and how individuals navigate forces beyond their control. By grappling with these narratives, students can wrestle with difficult questions about morality, power and human agency—questions that remain relevant today.
Avoiding difficult texts out of fear of harm undermines the purpose of education, which is to foster critical engagement, not to protect students from challenging material. Education should equip students with the tools to analyze and critique complex ideas, not shield them from discomfort.
The debate over retaining texts like Metamorphoses reflects broader tensions between honoring classical traditions and adapting to contemporary values. While it’s important to critique the harmful aspects of these works, removing them risks losing the opportunity to engage with challenging ideas that deepen our understanding of the human experience.
Rather than canceling difficult works, we should embrace the discomfort they provoke as essential to intellectual growth. By critically engaging with classical texts, we can better understand how the past continues to shape the present and equip ourselves to address today’s moral and ethical challenges. Engaging with the complexities of the classical world is not an obstacle to innovation or a global outlook—it is a vital part of both.
The phrase “a distant mirror” offers a powerful metaphor for understanding how the world of classical Greece and Rome can reflect and illuminate aspects of contemporary society that often go unrecognized. By examining ancient precedents, values, art, architecture and literature, we can see how these distant civilizations not only shaped the foundations of modern life but also provide alternate perspectives that challenge and enrich our understanding of today’s world.
Classical Greece and Rome serve as the foundational bedrock for many modern institutions, especially in politics, philosophy and law. Concepts such as democracy, republicanism and the rule of law, which emerged in ancient Athens and Rome, continue to influence the structure of contemporary governments. The Athenian experiment with direct democracy and the Roman Republic’s emphasis on checks and balances provide precedents that resonate with modern political systems. However, by holding these classical precedents up as a “distant mirror,” we can also see the limits of modern democracy—how current systems often fail to live up to their classical ideals, for instance, in terms of civic engagement or equal representation.
Classical Greece and Rome embraced values that sometimes contrast sharply with modern sensibilities, offering us a mirror that challenges contemporary assumptions. For instance, ancient Greek society placed great emphasis on civic virtue, the public good and the cultivation of wisdom through philosophy. In a world increasingly dominated by individualism and consumerism, these values can serve as a reminder of the importance of communal responsibility and intellectual development. Similarly, Roman concepts of virtus (courage and moral strength) and gravitas (seriousness and dignity) can challenge today’s culture of immediacy and superficiality, urging us to re-evaluate what it means to live a meaningful and purposeful life.
The great thinkers of classical Greece and Rome, such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Seneca, provide profound reflections on human nature, ethics and governance that continue to resonate. Through their works, we can explore enduring questions about justice, power, morality and the role of the individual within society. For example, Plato’s allegory of the cave invites us to consider how our perceptions of reality can be manipulated, a theme that has only grown more relevant in the age of social media and misinformation. Aristotle’s ethics, focused on the cultivation of virtue and the good life, challenges the more utilitarian, results-oriented approaches often seen in contemporary life.
These reflections remind us that many of the dilemmas we face today have ancient precedents and that classical thought can offer insight into how we might address them.
The artistic and architectural achievements of classical Greece and Rome continue to influence modern aesthetics and urban design, but they also offer more than just aesthetic models. Greek tragedy, with its exploration of fate, suffering and human frailty, speaks to universal themes that remain relevant today. The works of Homer, Sophocles and Virgil still captivate audiences, providing a mirror to human endurance in the face of chaos, uncertainty and conflict. These masterworks challenge us to confront aspects of the human experience that we often prefer to ignore, such as the inevitability of death, the complexities of justice or the corrupting influence of power.
Similarly, the architectural grandeur of ancient Rome, epitomized by structures like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, not only influences modern design but also raises questions about the intersection of power, public space and civic identity. These monuments reflect a society that understood the importance of public life, civic engagement and the role of architecture in shaping the social experience—questions that continue to resonate as we design and organize contemporary cities.
In many ways, the world of classical Greece and Rome can help us understand facets of contemporary society that often go underrecognized, such as the persistence of inequality, the complexity of governance and the importance of civic virtue. Ancient societies were deeply stratified, with rigid class systems and institutionalized slavery, yet they produced some of the most enduring critiques of power and authority. By studying these contradictions in a “distant mirror,” we can better recognize how modern societies still struggle with similar issues of inequality, privilege and justice, even if in more subtle or complex forms.
In addition, the classical focus on rhetoric and oratory as essential skills for public life invites us to reconsider the role of communication in politics today. The eloquence of figures like Cicero, who wielded words as a form of power, stands in contrast to the fragmented and often shallow discourse that characterizes much of modern political communication. In this way, the classical world offers both a model and a critique of how public discourse should function in a healthy democracy.
Viewing contemporary society through the “distant mirror” of classical Greece and Rome reveals not only the continuities between past and present but also the ways in which the ancient world can challenge and inform us today. Whether through political precedents, alternate values, philosophical reflections or artistic achievements, the classical world holds up a lens that helps us see aspects of our own world more clearly, encouraging us to reflect on what has endured and what still needs to change. In doing so, the distant mirror becomes not just a tool for comparison but a source of inspiration and deeper understanding.
