A Man of Constant Sorrows: Tracing Representations of Odysseus in 21st Century Cinema (Part Two)
Written by Justin Biggi. Having explored two different interpretations of Odysseus in Part One, our focus now shifts to the 2000 film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, a ‘loosely based on’ re-telling of Homer’s Odyssey, in an attempt to answer the question: are the Homeric epics really that timeless?
Sacred Caves and the Divine Feminine
Written by Simone Witney. Encounters with nymphs have been documented through inscriptions in the ancient Greek world. However, their existence not only informs us of a form of ancient sacred cult, but also the role of the divine feminine in religious practice.
Raising the Curtain: Hollywood and American Politics, 1920-60
Written by Jack Bennett. The impact of Hollywood and the film industry today is well known, and felt by all of us, but how did it begin? And what involvement has Hollywood had in American politics?
A Case for Historical Inaccuracy
Written by Jess Womack. The most recent series of The Crown has sparked uproar for its historical inaccuracies. But should we really be so concerned?
Hollywood’s Hephaestus: Review of Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema exhibition at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), from Sat 24 Oct 2020 – Sun 5 Sep 2021.
Written by Richard Kendall. Many of us are familiar with the work of Ray Harryhausen, but less familiar with the man behind the work. The exhibition at the National Gallery seeks to redress this by taking you through his life and his craft.
‘Awful and Lovely’: Bettany Hughes discusses her recent publication – ‘Venus and Aphrodite: History of a Goddess’ – with Daisy Dunn
Written by Hazel Atkinson. Bettany Highes’ latest book discusses the history of Aphrodite and Venus. In a recent talk, what did she have to say about representations of the goddess?
The Varian Disaster
Written by Jenn Gosselin. “The air stank and tasted of iron, both sword and blood. I remembered how the forest floor ran red with the life-giving liquid, painting the landscape as macabre rather than beautiful.”
Executed Renaissance: The Erasure of Ukrainian Cultural Heritage in the Times of the Soviet Union
Written by Kvitka Perehinets. Following the destruction of the Ukranian Didactic gospels in 1627 at the command of Tsar Mikhail, a centuries long campaign against the Ukranian language was waged, resulting not long in loss of culture, but in catastrophic loss of life.
The Mongols: Conflict, Conquest … and What Else?
Written by Amy Hendrie. In the contemporary imagination, the Mongols are famed for their brutality and violence. But is there more to this history than meets the eye?
Review: Ratcatcher
Written by Sophie Comninos. Lynne Ramsay’s 1999 film, Ratcatcher, offers a humanised view of life in the tenement flats of 1970s Glasgow.
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About Me
Retrospect Journal is the official History, Classics and Archaeology journal of the University of Edinburgh. We publish weekly features, academic articles, reviews and historical fiction, as well as a print journal twice a year. Make sure you follow us on social media for the latest news and events.
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