This essay was written by Lower Sixth Form student Jasper Morris as an Independent Learning Assignment (ILA). It was the winning submission in the Arts/ Humanities category of the 2023 ILA/ ORIS award. The following provides a short introduction to the full essay:
The Classics, the study of Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, have long been considered the foundations of Western culture, with literature, art and architecture all adorned with marks of the Classics. Yet, since its renewed interest during the Renaissance the study of Ancient Greek and Roman literature has found itself amalgamated with pro-white notions of the time, riddled with misinterpretations and a prejudiced subject focus. Continued to the present, the Classics are still often weaponised to bolster racist ideologies of the far right who admire its cultural potency. Despite the pursuit of knowledge often being noble, the legacy of classical education threatens to be tarnished by those abusing its promise of being the foundation of Western society for no good. In this paper I will examine both Classics’ influence on white supremacy and societal efforts striving to reverse such influences.
To view Jasper’s full article, follow this link below:
The Unchained Library 