This collection investigates the extent and nature of Ted Hughes's engagement with the literature, mythology, and ideologies of ancient Greece and Rome. Editor Roger Rees compiles sixteen articles from specialists in Classical and English literature to evaluate Hughes's role in the 20th-century reception of foundational texts. The volume argues that Hughes was a sophisticated reader whose creative output was deeply informed by his interaction with classical antiquity. By analyzing his translations, drama, and verse, the contributors establish a framework for understanding how classical thought shaped his poetic identity.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the study of 20th-century poetic reception of the classics. Scholars frequently note the academic rigor of the essays and their utility for those researching the intersection of modern English poetry and ancient literature.