#Thelxinoe ~ Classics News for June 16, 2021

Hodie est ad. XVI Kal. Jul. 2774 AUC ~ 6 Skirophorion in the fourth year of the 699th Olympiad

In the News

In Case You Missed It

Classicists and Classics in the News

Public Facing Classics

Fresh Bloggery

Blog-like Publications

Assorted Twitter Threads

Fresh Podcasts

This week Jeff and Dave do some spelunking to try figure out what the strange mystery rites of the Persiany cult of Mithras were all about, and why they were so popular during the Roman Empire. We begin with a breakdown of what exactly a “mystery cult” is, and then move on to Mithras himself, a hero whose myths do not survive in any written form. What do we make of the strange iconography that does survive, such as the bull-slaying motif (tauroctony)? Was this some kind of death-killing, solar cult? What is that scorpion up to? And can we take Mithras seriously in that hat? So, wander down into the Mithraeum, have a snack or two, and peek into that mysterious box. Might just change your life.

Gaius Marius was a Roman Consul an unprecedented seven times, and lived in a period of much military turmoil and activity in Rome. Dr Federico Santangelo, Newcastle University, joins the show again to share what’s known about Marius’ life.

Fresh Youtubery

Book Reviews

Exhibition Related Things

Online Talks and Professional Matters

Alia

‘Sorting’ Out Your Day:

Today on the Etruscan Brontoscopic Calendar:

If it thunders today, it portends a shortage of the necessities of life and also war; in addition, a prosperous man will disappear from public life.

… 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)