The Rest Is History The Trojan War, with Mary Beard
27 snips
Oct 9, 2025 
Mary Beard, a renowned classicist and author, dives into the captivating world of the Trojan War. She explores its significance in shaping Greek and Roman identity, emphasizing how the narrative serves as a moral backdrop in ancient society. Listeners will be absorbed by the tale of the divine wedding that ignited the conflict, the fateful choice of Paris, and his infamous abduction of Helen. With wit and insight, Beard unravels the myth's complexity, making the legendary war feel astonishingly relevant.
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Personal Thanks Over Rubicon Draft
- Tom Holland introduces Mary Beard and recalls she read his first book, Rubicon, in manuscript and helped him early on.
- Mary Beard responds warmly about Leighton House and their collaboration history.
Myth Versus History Matters Less Than Meaning
- Mary Beard highlights the fuzzy boundary between myth and history as central to ancient studies.
- She stresses that sometimes the most important aspects of history are its mythical elements regardless of factual truth.
Trojan War Shapes Greek and Roman Identity
- Mary Beard argues Greek and Roman self-identity traces back to how they imagined the Trojan War.
- She links the war to debates on heroism, morality, and the costs of warfare in classical culture.
