The very first of the Very Short Introductions.
And it's a very brave approach, starting with just one example and driving everything outward from there to see how the classics impact/interest/inform us now.
And it succeeds.

I was nodding my head right the way through. Really well-organised and just the perfect way to look at classics with an added bit of sass every now and then. Highly recommended to people looking to get into classics.

I was at first put off by some of the negative reviews. But I felt pulled in by the gentle tour guide introduction to a somewhat obscure (to lay people) temple in the heart of the Peloponnese peninsula, the Bassae, far removed from Athens, as an entry point to discuss elements of Classical culture. Included in this "Very Short" introduction is a discussion of the "discovery" of the temple at Bassae by a multinational group, and the taking of some friezes to the British Museum. There follows examples of fortunate discoveries and expansion of our knowledge, while ruing what has not survived; the role of those at the margins of Greek and Roman society; reconstruction of the archaeology of Greek and Roman culture; and a discussion of its effect on literature and thought; as well as other topics. The notes at the end contain good suggestions for those whose interest has been piqued.

Obra interesante que debería titularse "El estudio del mundo clásico", porque más que de la cultura clásica grecolatina, habla de cómo el estudio de la misma ha ido mutando a lo largo de la historia. Partiendo de un templo griego, va detallando cómo cada generación se acerca a la historia, el arte, la arquitectura, la lengua clásicas, cambiando y creciendo por el camino.