I really love doing period pieces. I don't feel I've gotten a

In the art of storytelling, there exists a longing to reach beyond the present moment, to step into the worlds of the past and embody the lives of those who came before us. Stana Katic, a gifted actress, once shared this truth: "I really love doing period pieces. I don't feel I've gotten a chance yet in my career to explore it as much as I'd like to. So I'll constantly look for opportunities to play in those worlds and hopefully be able to express those characters as well someday." In these words, Katic speaks not only of her own desire to engage with the past, but of a timeless human impulse: the yearning to step into another era, to explore the depths of history, and to bring the characters of the past to life in ways that resonate with our own humanity.

The ancient world was no stranger to such desires. In the traditions of Greek and Roman theater, actors often performed stories that were rooted in the myths and legends of the past. These actors, much like Katic, were drawn to the idea of embodying characters from history and myth, giving them life once again for the audience. The ancient playwrights—Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus—wrote plays that often looked back at heroes, gods, and battles long past. In doing so, they not only entertained but sought to connect the present with the timeless wisdom of the past. The historical characters they portrayed were not merely figures of history, but vessels through which society could examine its own values, fears, and aspirations.

Consider the great Alexander the Great, a man whose legacy is steeped in both myth and history. Alexander’s ambitions were so grand that even in his lifetime, tales of his conquests were already being turned into legends. And those who came after him sought not only to retell his story but to embody his character—whether in literature, in art, or in the plays and poems of later generations. In a way, those who told the story of Alexander were not simply recounting events, but stepping into his world, attempting to understand the complexities of his character and the forces that drove him. They, like Katic, longed to engage with another time, to discover how it felt to live in a world so different, yet still profoundly human.

This impulse is not confined to actors or writers, but resonates deeply within us all. In every period piece, there lies the opportunity to explore not just a bygone time, but our own humanity. The ancients understood that to look at history was not merely to reflect on the past, but to connect with the values, the passions, and the struggles of those who walked before us. It is said that the study of history is not just the study of events, but of the human condition itself. When Katic expresses her desire to explore period pieces, she is tapping into the deeper well of the human experience, recognizing that the more we understand the past, the more we understand ourselves.

Take, for example, the Renaissance, a time of rebirth and intellectual flourishing. During this period, artists and writers looked back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, not merely to mimic them but to reimagine them in the context of their own time. Leonardo da Vinci, for instance, studied the works of the ancients, not only to learn their techniques but to understand the deeper meaning behind their work. Similarly, Shakespeare wove tales of ancient Rome into the fabric of his own society, reflecting on themes of power, betrayal, and honor. In both cases, these creators reached into the past, not to recreate it, but to explore its truths and connect them to the present. This, too, is the task of the actor in a period piece: to bring the past alive, not as a mere reproduction, but as a mirror for our own time and life.

The lesson to be gleaned from Katic’s reflection is profound: the desire to explore history is not a mere fantasy or a longing for a world that no longer exists; it is a deep-seated need to connect with the human experience across time. Whether through art, film, or literature, we all seek to understand how the past speaks to the present, how the ancient world resonates with the challenges we face today. Like Katic, we too can find meaning in stepping outside our own time, looking back at those who have come before, and embracing their stories as part of our shared legacy.

In your own life, whether as a creator or as a seeker of knowledge, allow yourself to step into the worlds of the past. Read the works of ancient writers, explore the lives of historical figures, and engage with the lessons they left behind. Do not limit yourself to your own time; instead, let the wisdom of the ancients guide you. Like Katic, you may find that stepping into the world of the past is not merely an act of escape, but a way to understand your own world more deeply. History is not a place to visit; it is a mirror in which we can see both who we are and who we might become. Embrace the past, for in it lies the power to transform the present.