Seen on Classics (please send any responses to the folks mentioned in the quoted text, not to rogueclassicism!):

Classics Ireland is the journal of the Classical Association of Ireland whose members consist of those with a general interest in the Classical World including students, teachers and academics. It is published on an annual basis and contributions are welcome on all aspects of Classical Antiquity, especially if there is an Irish dimension, whether in the history of Classical scholarship or the reception of Classical values in Ireland. Contributions must be scholarly, but not technical and should appeal both to a wide readership and to the specialist. All Greek and Latin must be translated. Articles should not normally exceed 5,000 words and will be independently refereed before formal acceptance for publication. In addition, articles will be published on-line following the paper publication, at http://www.classicsireland.com/.

Expressions of interest and all manuscripts should be addressed to the editor:

Brian Sheridan,
Department of Ancient Classics,
National University of Ireland,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare,
IRELAND

brian.sheridan@ AT nuim.ie

Seen on Classics (please send any responses to the folks mentioned in the quoted text, not to rogueclassicism!):

The APA Division of Outreach and the APA Committee on Ancient and Modern Performance are creating a list of classicists with backgrounds in musical performance and the history of music.

We are especially eager to identify colleagues who would be willing to share their knowledge of both music and classical antiquity with individuals writing or performing works that are set in the ancient Greco-Roman world, draw on ancient Greek and Latin literary texts, or feature classical figures and themes.

If you would be willing to lend your expertise to this project, particularly by responding to queries from denizens of the musical world, please send a brief (200-300 word) biography describing your "credentials" and interests in both classics and music to Judith P. Hallett, jeph AT umd.edu. The deadline for inclusion in the initial list is February 28, but it will be updated regularly.

Imagine Tom Palaima’s dismay (tip o’ the pileus to John McMahon) …

• All Greek: St John’s T-Shirt Dismays Expert.

An excerpt in medias res from a lengthy item in Forbes:

“Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backwards. There’s no imminent threat of the government being overthrown, but the Taliban has gained momentum. Al-Qaida has not reemerged in Afghanistan in the same numbers as before 9/11, but they retain their safe havens along the border. And our forces lack the full support they need to effectively train and partner with Afghan security forces and better secure the population. Our new commander in Afghanistan–General McChrystal–has reported that the security situation is more serious than he anticipated. In short: The status quo is not sustainable. As cadets, you volunteered for service during this time of danger.”

Even the best of the speech is lackluster. Now turn to Cicero’s Philippics, as translated by the wartime code breaker DR Shackleton Bailey 30 years ago, and published late last year by Loeb. Though much is long, and embedded with subclauses, vivid phrases abound:

“Why, then am I against peace? Because it is dishonorable, because it is dangerous, because it is impossible.” [108 characters]

“Is anything more dishonorable not only to individuals but especially to the entire senate than inconsistency, irresponsibility, fickleness? [139]

“I am not against peace, but I dread war camouflaged as peace.” [61]

“Therefore, if we wish to enjoy peace, we must wage war; if we fail to wage war, peace we will never enjoy.” [106]

The point is not that President Obama should have given a Ciceronian speech, but that when examined by the extreme limits of tweeting, the supposed enemy of writing, Cicero shows us that the art and power of prose lies not so much in the words but in their arrangement. It is not for naught, then, that Harris recommends every British politician read the Philippics and be obliged to recite a passage aloud “to understand how great speeches are made.”

• What We Can Learn From Cicero – (Forbes)