Hodie est a.d. VIII Kal. Octobres 2772 AUC ~ 26 Boedromion in the third year of the 699th Olympiad
In the News
In Case You Missed It
Greek/Latin News
- [Ephemeris] AVE, MAGISTER Luctus in Latinitate
Public Facing Classics
Fresh Bloggery
- Antony Gormley and antiquity: positioning the body in time and place – Anachronism and Antiquity
- Arch of the Argentarii – Rome, Italy – Atlas Obscura
- Lenaeus: Teacher, Chief Minister of Shade – SENTENTIAE ANTIQUAE
- AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Diogenes: A tool for searching and browsing the databases of ancient texts, primarily in Latin and Greek
- Time and Change on Roman Crete | Archaeology of the Mediterranean World
- Chapter 2 – Cato Maior: The Art of Growing Asparagus — Latinitium
- Roman Months | Latin Language Blog
Fresh Podcasts
The Vestal Virgins carried out some of the most important rituals in the Roman Empire, and their temple was revered and unique in its structure and function. You can still see the remains of it in the Roman Forum, but as with many Roman buildings there’s less to it than meets the eye.
Guest: Dr Peta Greenfield (Public Historian, co-host of ‘The Partial Historians’)
During the time of Alexander the Great, the city of Athens gave rise to something new in Greek culture. Up to this point, music was seen as subordinate to words; melody and rhythm worked in service to text or “logos.” Around 5th century BCE “The New Music” movement challenged these ideas introducing songs without words, new musical tools like modulation, intense competitions and a new instrument, the cithara. The cithara was a concert lyre with as many as eleven strings. The greatest virtuoso on this new instrument was the famed Stratonicus of Athens; at least that’s how he tells the story.
Candidus nomine et animo, cuias sit cur Veronam petiverit audietis.
Book Reviews
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- [BMCR] Meike Rühl, Ciceros Korrespondenz als Medium literarischen und gesellschaftlichen Handelns. Mnemosyne. Supplements, 422.
- [BMCR] Tine Scheijnen, Quintus of Smyrna’s ‘Posthomerica’: A Study of Heroic Characterization and Heroism. Mnemosyne. Supplements, volume 421.
- [BMCR] AnneMarie Luijendijk, William E. Klingshirn (ed.), My Lots are in Thy Hands: Sortilege and its Practitioners in Late Antiquity. Religions in the Graeco-Roman World, 188.
Dramatic Receptions
- Stephen Fry charms with a legendary display of storytelling prowess in Mythos at Sage Gateshead – Hannah Graham – Chronicle Live
- The Heath Hawks Theatre Company Presents Their Fall Play, The Odyssey – FrontPorchRockwall.com
- Amanda Holden says she’s ‘on the prowl for guys’ playing ‘cougar’ in Plebs – Daily Star
Professional Matters
Alia
- Julius Caesar: How historian uncovered secret meaning to Roman leader’s famous quote | World | News | Express.co.uk
- Homer’s words, women’s voices – The Aquinian
- Classics debuts Composing Latin Poetry club – The Daily Wildcat
- Ancient Jerash was a jewel in the Roman Empire
- Latin classes in high schools teach English, history and grammar skill
- Tornos News | Language and culture lessons by the Lyceum of Greek Women in Athens
- The Destruction Of Pompeii | History Extra Podcast – HistoryExtra
- Why Today’s Best Business Leaders Look to Stoicism
- Why teaching classics can stop the spread of the alt-right
- The portrayal of Cleopatra in the rumoured upcoming 2019 film and beyond
- Ancient worldviews might shed light on our contemporary culture wars | National Catholic Reporter
- Stop saying America’s problems are like ancient Rome’s decline – The Washington Post
- Rome raises the price of visiting the Colosseum – The Local
- Incredible story of how one FART may have killed 10,000 people in Ancient Egypt
‘Sorting’ Out Your Day:
- Homeromanteion | Online Homeric Oracle
- Sortes Virgilianae (English)
- Sortes Virgilianae (Latin)
- Consult the Oracle at UCL
Today on the Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar:
If it should thunder today, it portends a drought. There will be an abundant harvest from the nut trees in late autumn, but they will be destroyed by storms.
… adapted from the text and translation of:
Jean MacIntosh Turfa, The Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar, in Nancy Thomson de Grummond and Erika Simon (eds.), The Religion of the Etruscans. University of Texas Press, 2006. (Kindle edition)