The Romans adopted and renamed Greek gods for their own. The Romans incorporated ancient Greek myths into their literature and culture. The spread of Roman civilization brought ancient mythology to other cultures. European and English literature rely heavily on classical mythology. English writers have used references to classical Roman mythology to entertain their audiences, who would have been familiar with classical tales. Shakespeare quoted, conjured up, parodied and blended classical myths throughout his work, as did many English writers.
A significant effect the Romans had on English literature came through Christianity. Rome's conquest of England came long before Christianity became the official religion of Rome in the third century. However, Christianity flourished through the Roman trade routes, and Britain was largely Christian during most of the Roman occupation. According to the "Norton Anthology of English Literature," the unknown writer of the epic English poem "Beowulf" wrote from a Christian perspective, looking back on pagan ancestors with a mixture of admiration and sympathy.
The restoration or neoclassical movement in English literature ran from 1660 until the end of the 18th century. Literature in England flourished in 1660 when the theaters in London reopened after being shut. One aspect was a return to the epic poem, a form brought to Britain during the Roman invasion. John Milton's "Paradise Lost" relied on both Christian and classical reference to tell this story of good and evil. John Locke and other writers wrote extensively during this period about the relationship between the government and the people, a classical Roman topic.
The Roman Empire has been a subject of English literature throughout the centuries. Many English writers have recreated the life and work of Augustine of Canterbury, who was sent by the pope to convert the British to Christianity. The Arthurian legend, one of the core works of early English literature, concerned a king defending Roman Britain against invasion. The Arthurian myth is infused with the Christian concept that the king will return one day. William Shakespeare wrote of Rome in "Julius Caesar" and "Antony and Cleopatra." In the 20th century, Robert Graves wrote the popular "I, Claudius," a fictionalized account about the first-century Roman emperor Claudius.