Antiquities and Classical Traditions in Latin America

This collection examines how classical legacies have shaped Latin American history, highlighting influences from antiquity on political and cultural developments.

This collection represents a significant exploration of the impact of classical legacies on Latin American history. Antiquities and Classical Traditions in Latin America delves into how antiquarian learning influenced colonial institutions and examines the Romantic Hellenism that inspired key figures during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It highlights the complex interplay between classical thought and the evolution of Latin American identity.

The essays within this volume discuss the enduring impact of Roman imperialism, the critiques of Aristotle’s geographical theories, and Cicero’s concept of patria. These ideas have shaped political and philosophical discourse across the region, demonstrating a profound connection to classical antiquity. The contributors, who hail from diverse disciplines such as art history, cultural anthropology, and literary studies, provide a multifaceted perspective on these themes.

Antiquities and Classical Traditions in Latin America also emphasizes that the appropriation of Greco-Roman heritage has frequently acted as a catalyst for social and political change in the Americas. By bringing attention to often-overlooked ideas and developments, this collection challenges conventional narratives of intellectual history, inviting readers to reconsider the foundational influences that have shaped Latin American thought and culture.