McGeough/Representations of Antiquity, 9. The New Epic

Chapter 9 discusses how the treatment of the ancient world has been transformed through the advent of CGI technology and the acceptance of ultraviolent aesthetics. It deals with the most controversial films of the past thirty years, such as The Last Temptation of Christ, The Passion of the Christ, Alexander, 300, and Apocalypto. It also looks at why Gladiator was such a success in relation to others that have not been as well received, like Troy.