Where Caesar Never Trod. Classical Archaeology and Ideology in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century America

America had a complex interaction of classical ideology and nationalism. It was never a ‘classical land’, yet used antiquity. Separation from Europe weakened Old World identity. After the Revolution and Republican foundation, classically educated leaders turned to Greece and Rome for ideological reference. Public and private buildings were done in classical style. Classical place names were used for new settlements and commemorative statues and war memorials used classical imagery. Late nineteenth century academic classicists increasingly emphasized Hellenic identity. Americans studied in Greece and brought Hellenic values back to classrooms. Excavations acquired an ideological identity. The American Athenian Agora excavations highlighted archaeology of democracy in the fascist era. In contrast the industrial elite identified with Rome and built railway stations modelled on Roman baths. American museums early acquired a strong classical orientation. An early emphasis on public education through casts gave way to elitism based on original objects.