What do you think?
Rate this book
Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers
This lively and engaging book is the only popular work to explore the profound impact of Ancient Greece and Rome on the Founding Fathers. The classical education they imbibed as young students inspired them to undertake the American Revolution and influenced their approach to a host of constitutional and practical issues crucial to the shaping of the new American republic. Recounting the stirring stories the founders encountered in their favorite histories of Greece and Rome, renowned scholar Carl J. Richard explores what they learned from these vivid tales and how they applied these lessons to their own heroic quest to win American independence and establish a durable republic. Richard explains how the founders learned the importance of individual rights from the absence of those rights in Sparta, the superiority of republican government to monarchy from the Greek victory over the Persians, the perils of democracy from the instability of Athens, the need for a strong central government from the fall of Greece to Macedon and Rome, the importance of virtue to the success of a republic from early Rome, the need for eternal vigilance against ambitious individuals from the fall of the Roman republic, and the preciousness of liberty from its destruction by the Roman emperors. Crucial to the decisions that shaped the United States, these lessons remain invaluable today for every citizen concerned with America's future course.
228 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2008
13 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 25, 2015
The author begins by saying (Page ix): ". . .[T]he tales of Greece and Rome. . .were the tales that inspired the founders to rebel against the mother country and stablish a republic they hoped would one day rival those of Greece and Rome." That is the thesis of this book: That Greek and Roman practice with democracy was a major influence on the Founders of the American Republic. The presentation is literate and the arguments make sense. But the story is overstated considerably. To claim, as in the opening sentence of this review, that the Greek and Roman experiences inspired the founders to rebel, is way overstated. There were so many other factors--the experience of the colonies in self-government, the radical Whigs' critique of the English government, continental thinkers (Enlightenment thinkers, for example; Montesquieu; others).
Lutz reports on the different sources cited in pamphlets and other publications in his research. Certainly, there were references to the Greeks and Romans, but it was not most referred to.
The thesis here is that Greece showed the problem of too much democracy; Rome showed the problem of not being diligent in the protection of a republic. The arguments here are nicely supported with concrete examples.
Overall, very readable. An interesting thesis. But, in the end, overstated. . . .
Lutz reports on the different sources cited in pamphlets and other publications in his research. Certainly, there were references to the Greeks and Romans, but it was not most referred to.
The thesis here is that Greece showed the problem of too much democracy; Rome showed the problem of not being diligent in the protection of a republic. The arguments here are nicely supported with concrete examples.
Overall, very readable. An interesting thesis. But, in the end, overstated. . . .
January 3, 2019
As a fan of the Classical World and the history of the American Revolution (especially after reading David McCullough's masterful "1776"), I was quite pleasantly surprised by what I learned reading Richard's short book. I found myself wondering why more of this great borrowing, to coin a phrase, wasn't taught back in my own public school days. Obviously, I knew of the tremendous cultural heritage that Greco-Roman culture has passed down through Western civilization, but I had no idea how closely the Founding Fathers studied and emulated their ancient heroes, and conversely, reviled their villains. As I was reading it, I found myself realizing very obvious cultural connections that I had previously either taken for granted or ignored: the marble busts and statues, the neoclassical architecture (many based on Roman temples) with the ever-present columns, the Latin phrases everywhere, etc. This book definitely gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of what the Founders were hoping to accomplish with "The Great Experiment"; makes me think we as a nation still have a lot to learn from the ancients' example.
February 3, 2021
Can't wait to re-read in a year
Read
December 4, 2009An excellent introduction to the topic of what lessons the Founders learned from the Classics, a topic dear to me . . . I must admit that I myself learned very little from this particular book (since I've already read elsewhere almost all of the stories told herein), but I do rather wish I could require that all my students read it!
June 8, 2021
I knew the book would be interesting but was surprised just how much I enjoyed it. Each chapter focused on a different aspect of Greek or Roman history, telling their stories and then explaining they influenced our Founding Fathers. Richard writes so smoothly, capturing the interest and excitement of ancient history.
December 5, 2021
A good brief overview of mostly Roman and Greek history and major figures as portrayed (not always accurately) in ancient literature and the influence it had on the American founding fathers in their actions in establishing a Republic as noted in their own writing. The overriding terror of both a Caesar and loss of honor and character are constant themes.
January 27, 2016
This is, admittedly and avowedly, a book of midbrow popular history for those who are interested in the Founding Fathers and who are interested in knowing the inspiration that our nation's founders found in the classical Greeks and Romans. Although this is a task that is not unfamiliar to those who have read about these men, who made their love of republican Rome in particular very obvious [1], this book does a good job of distilling the Greek and Roman influence on the Founding Fathers in a way that is factually outstanding, easy-to-read, and very direct. At only about 180 pages of text, this is a book that provides solid information in a very small package to interested readers who have read about the Founding Fathers and want to look at what inspired and influenced them. The author himself makes it clear the audience he is aiming at, and writes a book that hits its target.
In terms of the contents of this book, the book takes a chronological approach to the aspects of the classical inheritance that the Founding Fathers found of particular interest. After introducing the fondness of the American founders with storytellers, the author takes a look at Sparta and the problem of individual rights, the vindication of republican government during the Persian Wars, Athens and the weakness of democracy, the fall of Greece as indicating the need for a strong central government, early Rome and the importance of republican virtue, the fall of Rome and the lesson of vigilance, and the preciousness of liberty in light of the early Caesars. This is an author that manages to understand what many contemporary writers on politics do not--the founders did not want America to be a democracy, they profoundly distrusted what they viewed as the mob even if they recognized the need for a popular mandate, and they were highly conspiratorial when it came to their own political worldview, something that contemporary Americans share.
In reading this book, one is struck by the poignant nature of the struggle of the early Americans to rebel against what they saw as tyranny by pointing to classical tradition to give them encouragement. They did not mind Cicero's vanity [2] and preferred Tacitus' moralizing to Seutonius' gossipy chatter, which is more akin to the political discourse of our own times. In reading this book, we do not see the Founding generation as perfect; we see them as courageous, idealistic, moralistic, and certainly more than a little paranoid. But we see the patterns that have informed our own lives as well, and we know where our own paranoia comes from, our own fear of losing our freedoms, our own concerns over unscrupulous political opponents who lack virtue. It is odd how those fears never seem to go away. The price of freedom, even of the modest sort of political freedoms that we have, is eternal vigilance, and the cancer of slavery was only rarely recognized by the Founding Fathers, some of whom realized that slavery created a threat for demagoguery, a threat that was sadly realized, especially in the period after the 1960's, an area that this book mercifully does not discuss.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
In terms of the contents of this book, the book takes a chronological approach to the aspects of the classical inheritance that the Founding Fathers found of particular interest. After introducing the fondness of the American founders with storytellers, the author takes a look at Sparta and the problem of individual rights, the vindication of republican government during the Persian Wars, Athens and the weakness of democracy, the fall of Greece as indicating the need for a strong central government, early Rome and the importance of republican virtue, the fall of Rome and the lesson of vigilance, and the preciousness of liberty in light of the early Caesars. This is an author that manages to understand what many contemporary writers on politics do not--the founders did not want America to be a democracy, they profoundly distrusted what they viewed as the mob even if they recognized the need for a popular mandate, and they were highly conspiratorial when it came to their own political worldview, something that contemporary Americans share.
In reading this book, one is struck by the poignant nature of the struggle of the early Americans to rebel against what they saw as tyranny by pointing to classical tradition to give them encouragement. They did not mind Cicero's vanity [2] and preferred Tacitus' moralizing to Seutonius' gossipy chatter, which is more akin to the political discourse of our own times. In reading this book, we do not see the Founding generation as perfect; we see them as courageous, idealistic, moralistic, and certainly more than a little paranoid. But we see the patterns that have informed our own lives as well, and we know where our own paranoia comes from, our own fear of losing our freedoms, our own concerns over unscrupulous political opponents who lack virtue. It is odd how those fears never seem to go away. The price of freedom, even of the modest sort of political freedoms that we have, is eternal vigilance, and the cancer of slavery was only rarely recognized by the Founding Fathers, some of whom realized that slavery created a threat for demagoguery, a threat that was sadly realized, especially in the period after the 1960's, an area that this book mercifully does not discuss.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
February 27, 2015
Useful, concise account of how early national leaders read and utilized Greek and Roman works. Crucial for understanding the worldview of 18th and 19th century Americans. I appreciated the straight-forward presentation of items of Greek and Roman history, how the Founders analyzed them (accurately and inaccurately), as well as the the application of those ideas within the US (in sections at the end of each chapter called "The Lesson").
Best quotes:
"The Founding Fathers encountered most of these ancient historians and orators at an early and impressionable age, in grammar school and at college. In fact, the "grammar" in "grammar school" referred to Greek and Latin grammar, not English grammar; the mother tongue was not taught in American grammar schools until after the Revolutionary War, sice most 18th century Americans believed that precious school time should be reserved for serious academic subjects like the classical languages, not wasted on knowledge the child could learn at home" (17). (Oh, were that it were still so!)
"The American Revolution was a paradox: a revolution fueled by tradition" (180).
Best quotes:
"The Founding Fathers encountered most of these ancient historians and orators at an early and impressionable age, in grammar school and at college. In fact, the "grammar" in "grammar school" referred to Greek and Latin grammar, not English grammar; the mother tongue was not taught in American grammar schools until after the Revolutionary War, sice most 18th century Americans believed that precious school time should be reserved for serious academic subjects like the classical languages, not wasted on knowledge the child could learn at home" (17). (Oh, were that it were still so!)
"The American Revolution was a paradox: a revolution fueled by tradition" (180).
December 15, 2008
This book proves the age-old adage: Learn from history, or you will be doomed to repeat it. The structure of the book demonstrates just how useful it can be to diligently study history (in the case of the military strategies surrounding the American Revolution) and also how profoundly the great men and women in history influence the minds of future history-makers.
Each chapter focuses on a particular lesson the Founding Fathers learned from the Greeks and Romans and begins with a brief review of relevant events and figures (for those of us who are a bit rusty on our ancient history). Richard then expands on the topic by explaining how said events or people influenced the Founding Fathers' decision-making and policy-making practices (as well as their personalities, ideals, and values).
Fascinating and extremely educational. This is a great way to look at the patterns that arise in history. The writing makes the information very accessible and not at all difficult to follow.
Each chapter focuses on a particular lesson the Founding Fathers learned from the Greeks and Romans and begins with a brief review of relevant events and figures (for those of us who are a bit rusty on our ancient history). Richard then expands on the topic by explaining how said events or people influenced the Founding Fathers' decision-making and policy-making practices (as well as their personalities, ideals, and values).
Fascinating and extremely educational. This is a great way to look at the patterns that arise in history. The writing makes the information very accessible and not at all difficult to follow.
July 20, 2012
Great book even though it was not quite what I thought it was
So, if it was not quite what I thought it was, what is it?
Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers is a very succinct, well-written and entertaining history of the Ancient Greeks and the Romans with a little commentary at the end of each section about how these histories influenced the Founding Fathers. For example, he has seven pages on a history of the Spartans (probably the best short explanation of the Spartans I have ever read) and two pages about the lessons learned. There are 13 pages on the Persian Wars and just one page about the lesson learned.
This book does fill a serious gap in our education nowadays. Unfortunately, in the world of education, it is not uncommon to think of Western history as not important to our lives...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
So, if it was not quite what I thought it was, what is it?
Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers is a very succinct, well-written and entertaining history of the Ancient Greeks and the Romans with a little commentary at the end of each section about how these histories influenced the Founding Fathers. For example, he has seven pages on a history of the Spartans (probably the best short explanation of the Spartans I have ever read) and two pages about the lessons learned. There are 13 pages on the Persian Wars and just one page about the lesson learned.
This book does fill a serious gap in our education nowadays. Unfortunately, in the world of education, it is not uncommon to think of Western history as not important to our lives...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
March 26, 2017
If you are like me, you've always been told that the Founding Fathers were inspired by a system of self-government by the ancient histories of the Romans and the Greeks. If you are also like me, you have been surprised by the lack of books available on this topic. Dr. Richard has filled that gap with this wonderful work. Each chapter takes you through the major eras of of Roman and Greek history, as told by their contemporaries (e.g., Cicero, Demosthenes, Polybius). This is followed by a description of how the Founding Fathers applied the lessons learned and how accurate these ancient accounts are from our current knowledge of those times. There is sufficient detail to inform, but at a high enough level to not overwhelm the reader. This book holds a place in my personal library, to be read again soon.
March 12, 2014
Really interesting book. It was fun catching up with Greek and Roman history--not my strong suit. Richard shares the stories our Founders knew, as well as the more historically accurate accounts.
"As long as human society exists, there will be a need for stories. The only question is whether the stories provided will be rich enough and inspirational enough to serve societal needs. Perhaps it is now time for the American public not only to return to the founders--to explore the totality of their lives, its tragic as well as its heroic elements--but also to return to the great fountainhead of knowledge at which the founders filled their own buckets. Perhaps it is time to learn whatever lessons the ancients can teach the twenty-first century."
"As long as human society exists, there will be a need for stories. The only question is whether the stories provided will be rich enough and inspirational enough to serve societal needs. Perhaps it is now time for the American public not only to return to the founders--to explore the totality of their lives, its tragic as well as its heroic elements--but also to return to the great fountainhead of knowledge at which the founders filled their own buckets. Perhaps it is time to learn whatever lessons the ancients can teach the twenty-first century."
October 21, 2008
This book really didn't teach me anything new. I recommend, however, to read the "The Lesson" section of each chapter, which is at the end of the every chapter. This section entails the book's purpose: an explanation of how the Greeks and Romans influenced the Founding Fathers. I recommend doing that if you already know the basic history of Ancient Greece and Rome. If you don't, then read the entire book so that you can grasp the message.
I did almost die of laughter when I read the discriptions of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero's bizarre but amusing lives. A cackle is always fun... =)
I did almost die of laughter when I read the discriptions of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero's bizarre but amusing lives. A cackle is always fun... =)
January 23, 2009
It's like the author asked me what type of book I would most want to read and then wrote it. This work combines two of my favorite subjects to read about, ancient Greco-Roman civilization and the Founding Fathers (with a little bit about classic university education thrown in for good measure). If you are at all interested in these two subject then I highly recommend this book. It explains some of what made the Founders paranoid-schizos and provides some depth to the context of the Federalist/Anti-Federalist feud surrounding the Constitutional Convention. Plus you get great anecdotes about Greek tyrants and Roman emperors. Fascinating stuff, in my opinion.
October 1, 2012
I'm reading this book for my European History class on the Greeks and Romans. I've found the book to be very entertaining and informative. I don't feel like the author is dumbing it down but more like he is just sitting across from me and we're having a conversation. There are also humorous parts in it. I have found myself laughing out loud at how the author describes certain things.
February 5, 2009
Another interesting read filling in a gap in my education about history. The popular canon of common literature sure has changed in the past 250 years. Our education system completely overlooks this source of influence on our founding fathers.
July 25, 2014
Insightful but not original; I'd heard the vast majority of the insights before. 90% of each chapter was descriptive, with a bit of analysis at the end, a format that I found boring. I can understand why Dr. Spinney assigned for the freshmen, but I didn't finish it.
September 23, 2024
FIrst book I've read in which it is detailed how closely the founding fathers relied on the actions of the Classicals to inform their opinions. Pretty easy writing style. Good summaries of what to some could be tedious ancient history. I liked the book!
April 29, 2010
So much more than any history class ever taught me. It teachs so much about politics too, very good read.
October 20, 2011
I enjoyed seeing how the Founding Fathers interpreted the Greek and Roman classics, and what they borrowed and didn't borrow. Very interesting book.
August 6, 2016
Good connection between the ancient Greeks and Romans and the founding fathers of our country.
May 23, 2019
This book does a fairly good job at brushing up ancient history lessons that had been so prevalent at the time of the founders. It's a fun read, though at times a bit dense in information as the author relates the atmosphere of the age with facts before getting to the stories themselves. It compares and contrasts the ancients and how the founders wielded their knowledge of Greece and Rome in order to begin the United States. I personally would recommend this book as it lays out foundations that are today lost to younger generations. Unfortunately, I now am left with wanting more in-depth knowledge. I've already found another book by Richard that is sure to highlight specific stories in more detail upon my next read into the Ancient world.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews