The CTC network was established in spring of 2018 to facilitate collaborative international research on the use of the classical world in contemporary political rhetoric.
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.
