“This we learn from Watergate That almost any creep ‘ll Be glad to help the Government Overthrow the people. On being asked what would have happened in 1963, had Khrushchev and not Kennedy being assassinated (Malcolm Muggeridge, The Infernal Grove, 1975) »
Some time ago the Italian government announced severe cuts in public costs in attempt to ‘save’ the economy from the disgrace that Greece is going through. It seems that, among other cuts, they decided to sacrifice to the altar of money the Italian Institute of Archaeology at Athens. This School was established in 1909 and celebrated its centenary anniversary only last year. Apart from its celebrated library, it also operates the excavations at Aegialeia, Thuria, Poliochne, Hephesteia, Chloe, Ph... »
While I am in the mood of reception studies… it may be worth taking a look at the new Oxford University Press Journal called Classical Reception Journal. It has just been published online and can be viewed by clicking on the link: http://www.oxfordjournals.org/page/3929/1. The issue includes a free editorial from Lorna Hardwick. The following paper is freely available: “Hyperion’s symposium: an erotics of reception”. In addition, for a set fee of 25 American dollars, you can re... »
Have you ever been able to take a glimpse of a numismatic catalogue? It is the apotheosis of Abbreviations in ancient history. Each line has so many abbreviations that you need a second book to decipher them. I find it very difficult to understand the symbolism behind every small cluster of letters and I suppose that the non-experts are getting increasingly more frustrated. So why are they so popular? According to my fellow numismatists, it saves space on the page. Less pages mean less bulky boo... »
“History, like wood, has a grain in it which determines how it splits; and those in authority, besides trying to shape and direct events, sometimes find it more convenient just to let them happen.” (Malcolm Muggeridge, The Infernal Grove, 1975) »
Many would think that it was inappropriate for Spartans to use tricks in war, but he said that “where the lion’s skin is not enough, the fox’s skin must be added”. Who was he? »
The Baynes Meeting for Ancient Historians was not entirely negative, as my previous posts may have implied. In fact, it gave me the opportunity to assert the trends Ancient Historians are following. During the meeting we had the opportunity to listen to the work of two excellent scholars, who seem to be in the forefront of current research. Dan Stewart, a competent (and I have to admit terribly diligent) lecturer from my School at the University of Leicester, in his paper “Sikyon, Pausanias and ... »
“History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives” (Abba Eban, speech in London, 16 December 1970) »
Which Roman emperor was transformed into a … pumpkin, after he died? »