Anya Leonard, founder of Classical Wisdom and author of the children’s book 'Sappho: The Lost Poetess', dives into the relevance of classics today. She shares her journey as a third culture kid and how it shaped her love for ancient literature. Anya discusses the innovative approaches needed to teach classics, promoting essential themes like wisdom and friendship. She emphasizes the importance of engaging young minds with classical texts to foster a deeper understanding of history and philosophy, ensuring these timeless lessons endure.
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Anya Leonard's Global Upbringing
Anya Leonard is a third culture kid who lived in many countries throughout her life.
She used regional bases like Dubai and Taiwan to explore nearby areas and cultures extensively.
insights INSIGHT
Universality of Classics
Classics reveal universal human experiences across time, connecting us to ancient peoples.
This shared culture captivates people worldwide regardless of their location or heritage.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Children's Book on Sappho
Anya wrote a children's book about Sappho to share the excitement of recent archaeological discoveries.
The book combines poetry, history, and archaeology to engage young readers on multiple levels.
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Diane Rayor's translation of Sappho's complete works offers a fresh perspective on the ancient Greek poet's life and work. The translation aims for accuracy while making the poems accessible to modern readers. Rayor's work sheds light on Sappho's homoerotic themes and her role in ancient Greek performance culture. The book includes extensive notes and commentary, providing context for understanding Sappho's language and world. It is a valuable resource for scholars and general readers alike, offering a nuanced understanding of Sappho's enduring legacy.
The Conquest of Happiness
Bertrand Russell
In 'The Conquest of Happiness', Bertrand Russell examines the causes of unhappiness in modern life and provides a roadmap for achieving happiness through conscious effort and rational choices. He argues that happiness is not a gift but a conquest that requires effort and commitment. The book discusses various factors such as competition, boredom, and the importance of love and diverse interests in achieving true happiness.
In this episode, I chat with Anya Leonard. Anya is the founder and director of Classical Wisdom, a website and online community dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. She also recently published a children’s book about the ancient Greek poetess, called Sappho: The Lost Poetess.
Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Highlights
* How Anya got into the classics
* Why she chose to write a children’s book about Sappho
* Why are classics are important today
* Should only boffins talk and write about classics
* What obstacles do we face teaching people about classics?
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