Retrospect
Journal.

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY, CLASSICS AND ARCHAEOLOGY MAGAZINE

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  • The Unique Status of Vestal Virgins in Roman Society 

    The Vestal Virgins occupied a position in ancient Roman society which afforded them certain legal and societal rights. However, the role also came with strict rules which, if broken, would be met with deadly punishment as Fiona MacRae discusses.

  • Stonewall and the History of LGBT Rights

    In 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, prompted an uprising and subsequent demonstrations which would have a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Seth Silverberg explores this pivotal event and the legacy which grew from it.

  • Cannibal King: What Exactly Were the King’s Drops? 

    Today, cannibalism is seen as savage and barbarous, but that wasn’t always the case. Marnie Camping-Harris explores historical uses of human body parts in medicine.

  • The Order and Manner of the Burning of Anne Askew 

    Anne Askew was burnt at the stake as a heretic in 1546. Naomi Wallace reimagines and brings to life her final moments.

  • ‘Do What You Want, Just Know What You’re Doing’: The Life of Jackie Shane 

    Born in Nashville, Jackie Shane came to be a prominent figure in the Toronto soul music scene. However, as a Black, transgender woman in the 1960s, she was forced to overcome racism and homophobia – something which fed into her dynamic performances. Megan Crutchley discusses Shane’s powerful legacy.

  • Valentine’s Day Revisited

    Who was Saint Valentine? When did Valentine’s Day begin to be associated with love? Why has the holiday become so commercialized? Mahdeen Shafee investigates these questions and more in an exploration of the history of Valentine’s Day, from its beginnings in Ancient Rome to the present day.

  • La Catedral: A Transformation of Prison Hierarchy in Colombia’s Narco Era 

    Purpose-built to accommodate drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar, La Catedral was a world away from the typical Colombian prison. Kat Jivkova examines this exceptional facility and the authority wielded by its powerful inmate.

  • Kid Gloves and Cable Desks: The Challenges and Chances of Female War Correspondents 

    Since the late nineteenth century, female war correspondents have challenged societal barriers impeding access to the profession. Verity Limond discusses the history of women working in a position dominated by men, and the distinctly human aspect of their reporting.