日本でもグローバル化の流れで大学のリベラル・アーツ教育が見直されるようになってきました。本書は世界史の教科書で一度は耳にしたことがある西洋古典文学の主要な著者、文学形式、歴史的時代区分などの概要をコンパクトにまとめたものです。豊富な資料を例に引きながら、何が古典文学を傑作たらしめ、何が我々を今日まで魅了し続けるのか、その核心に迫ります。本書を手引きに、奥深い西洋古典の世界に触れてみませんか。
    

• Provides a concise, lucid, yet broad overview of classical literature
• Includes a range of examples of original Greek and Latin literature to explore its enduring influence and power to fascinate
• Ideal for students of classics, literature, and history, as well as for the intelligent general reader looking to learn more about the subject

   
From popular histories through to reworkings of classical subject matter by contemporary poets, dramatists, and novelists, the classical world and the masterpieces of its literature continue to fascinate readers and audiences in a huge variety of media. In this Very Short Introduction, William Allan explores what the 'classics' are and why they continue to shape our Western concepts of literature. Presenting a range of material from both Greek and Latin literature, he illustrates the variety and sophistication of these works, and considers examples from all the major genres. 
  
Ideal for the general reader interested in works of classic literature, as well as students at A-Level and University, this is a lively and lucid guide to the major authors and literary forms of the ancient period.