Johanna Hanink

About the Author

Johanna Hanink is a distinguished classicist and author whose work bridges the ancient world with contemporary global challenges. A professor of Classics at Brown University, she explores how the legacy of Greek antiquity continues to shape modern political, economic, and cultural discourses. In her acclaimed book, The Classical Debt: Greek Antiquity in an Era of Austerity, Hanink examines the invocation of classical Greece during the European financial crisis, revealing the tensions between historical reverence and present-day exploitation. Drawing on her expertise in ancient literature and history, she offers incisive critiques that illuminate the enduring influence of the past on today's austerity measures and national identities. Hanink's scholarship is both rigorous and accessible, making complex ideas resonate with a broad audience interested in the intersections of history and current affairs.