ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ МЕМЕТИКИ ПРИ ИССЛЕДОВАНИИ РЕЦЕПЦИИ АНТИЧНОСТИ В АМЕРИКАНСКОЙ ПРЕССЕ РУБЕЖА XIX−XXВЕКОВ

Abstract

Antiquity, which once inspired the Founding Fathers and later became an important reference point for many subsequent generations of American politicians, has lost its former significance. Many researchers traditionally associate this process with the industrialization at the turn of the 19th and 20th century, when society placed more emphasis on practical knowledge and skills. It would be logical to anticipate a gradual decrease in the number of references to Ancient Greek and Roman history featured in the publications of the emerging mass press focused on the needs of a wide audience and consisting of short and catchy notes. However, there was an upsurge of interest in antiquity in American newspapers. Unfortunately, researchers of classical reception usually pay little attention to periodicals. Using the memetic approach, the article attempts to resolve this contradiction. In addition, the survey analyzes which particular classical subjects were interesting to the readers of mass press, and considers possible options for interpreting and rethinking some ancient history’s images. Through a range of public issues, as well as events and characters of ancient history, the article examines two subjects in detail: the fall of Rome and Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi.