Following up on my “Ancient World in America” class (part of Intro to Roman Culture), I believe it is my duty to inform as many people as possible that this status of GEORGE WASHINGTON AS ZEUS exists.
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This is the exact lead in I used in class because we had discussed this statue earlier in the semester! I was like “remember that Claudius statue… well have I got an American surprise for you!” 😅
Reminds me of how the Japanese tried understanding American history through the prism of their own national mythos --so to them, Washington beat up tigers.
There's also a story of a Japanese ambassador visiting the U.S. in the 19th Century, asking why his bloodline wasn't honored.
Scholars of the Reception of Classical Tradition(s) and 18thC art historians would like you to know that every generation gets the Ancient Rome it deserves.
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As are the additional contributions below, LOFL!!
No. Just no.
There's also a story of a Japanese ambassador visiting the U.S. in the 19th Century, asking why his bloodline wasn't honored.