Brought vividly to life on screen, the myth of ancient Rome resonates through modern popular culture. Projectingthe 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.
...Wyke treats the cinematic representation of the ancient world with the utmost seriousness and succeeds in developing a rigorous methodology for dealing with classical history on celluloid. -- Pheonix
This fascinating book analyzing films, many of them long forgotten, about ancient Rome should be welcomed by both classicists and those interested in the cinema and its historical setting... Wyke's book is an excellent addition to any library covering film studies, the classical tradition, culture and gender studies. Maria Wyke has done some fine and entertaining work. -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review