Ancient greek heritage in (early modern) Europe Natasha Constantinidou unpacks Ancient Greek heritage in (early modern) Europe through the project Greek Heritage in European Culture and Identity. The heritage of ancient Greece is widely recognised as a ‘pillar’ of European culture and identity. However, the complex historical processes of cultural reception and appropriation that have shaped this notion remain not fully understood. Today, references to Greek culture permeate Europe’s urban spaces, artistic creations, political life, and everyday objects. But when did the Greek past become part of the broader ‘European’ past and a shared reference point for Europe’s peoples? How did it acquire renewed relevance in the present? Who participated in this transformation, and what form did it take?
Natasha Constantinidou (2026) studied this question.