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Continue reading →: Make Haste Slowly
In this post, I will discuss a common Roman expression which was a particular favourite of the emperor Augustus (63 BCE- 14 CE), and how this is relevant in the modern world. The Latin phrase is ‘festina lente’ which can be translated as ‘make haste slowly’. Like many Roman ideals,…
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Continue reading →: Arethusa: a history in ten coins
In this post I will be discussing the beautiful Arethusa coins of Syracuse in Sicily. This will cover a period of around two hundred years, from their inception, through their zenith and finally their fall from favour. These coins were not just currency, but powerful tools of propaganda in promoting…
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Continue reading →: Dolphins of the Ancient World
Introduction Dolphins are beautiful and intelligent creatures much admired in the modern world. They were also revered by ancient societies, with the gods Poseidon, Apollo and Aphrodite in particular having connections with them. This has resulted in these wonderful creatures being associated with a rich body of mythology, which is…
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Continue reading →: BSA Greek Numismatics Course 2025
In March 2025, I had the privilege of studying at the 2 week Greek Numismatics course at the British School at Athens. Here’s some general information about the course, as well as some personal reflections. The course runs in March every 2 years- the next scheduled course will therefore be…
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Continue reading →: The Madness of Hercules
The Coin The figure depicted on the reverse of this ancient coin from Thasos shows a naked muscular figure with a lionskin slung over his left shoulder and carrying a studded club in his right hand. This would have been instantly recognisable to anyone in the ancient world as Hercules…
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Dionysus: the gender fluid god
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Continue reading →: Dionysus: the gender fluid godIntroduction The beautiful ancient coin in Figure 1 is from the Greek island of Thasos. You would be forgiven if you wondered whether the figure depicted, with an elaborate headdress and flowing locks, was a male or a female. This is the Greek god Dionysus (or Dionysos). The Roman equivalent…
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Continue reading →: The Murder of Eratosthenes: sex, lies and betrayal in Ancient Athens
Introduction Athens in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE was a well-ordered democracy with a sophisticated legal system. The major tasks of policing- investigation, apprehension, prosecution and enforcement- were carried out by the citizens themselves. A citizen charged with an offence would be able to plead his case in front…
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Continue reading →: Bob Dylan and the Classics
Introduction When the American folk and rock musician Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, the rationale for this decision was questioned around the world (Ball, 2011). The Nobel Prize for Literature is conferred by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, Sweden, and is regarded as the…
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Continue reading →: Cleopatra’s Goitre
Introduction Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE) is arguably Egypt’s most iconic Queen. She had love affairs with two of the most influential rulers of the Roman Empire of the time- Julius Caesar and Mark Antony- and was the last of the Ptolemaic rulers prior to Egypt’s annexation by Rome in 30…
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Continue reading →: Hadrian and the making of a god
Introduction In my previous post, P. Carisius: A celebration of Roman conquest, I discussed how the Emperor Augustus used the fact that his adoptive father Julius Caesar had been deified after death to help legitimise his rule. I had several questions regarding this, and thought it would be useful to…
Hello,
I’m Catherine
Welcome to my Classics blog. I am a recent MSc Classics and Ancient History graduate from the University of Glasgow and will be publishing posts on the ancient world. My main interests include Myth, Reception Studies and Numismatics. I also have a medical degree which brings a different perspective to topics around the ancient world.
Please do contact me if your have any feedback or questions on my blog. Also please do register to join my email list; I promise not to spam and will only contact when I publish a new post.
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