Category: Features
-
The Depiction of a Black Magus: An Early Attempt at Representation?
Written by Sophia Aiello. Representations of the three ‘wisemen’ or Magi from the story of the birth of Jesus have been varied and changeable over the history of Christianity. But how do these depictions offer a more diverse look at the world of the Bible? And what does this representation mean for modern re-enactments?
-
The Rise and Fall of ETA: The Spanish Terrorist Groups’ Bloodiest Years
Written by Sally Dolphin. The Basque separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), over it’s 50 year operation period, caused huge amounts of bloodshed in the Basque region of northern Spain. Sally Dolphin explores this violent episode in Spanish political history.
-
The Pill that Changed the World: A Complicated History
Written by Sophie Whitehead. The history of birth control pills is not commonly understood, despite their presence in the everyday lives of hundreds of millions of people. Sophie Whitehead discusses its murky history both in relation to narratives of historical exceptionalism and uncomfortable associations.
-
Groundhog Day: The Pride of Punxsutawney
Written by Sam Marks. What is Groundhog Day? Sam Marks discusses the customs and origins of the folklore of the peculiar North American holiday
-
The Dancing Plague of 1518: The Worst Dance Party Ever?
Written by Eva Campbell. The Dancing Plague of 1518 is often regarded as one of the most bizarre events in social and cultural history. But are we any further towards understanding why this happened to the people of Strasbourg?
-
Kitty Fisher – A Modern Celebrity?
Written by Sophie Whitehead. Obsession with celebrity is thought to be a trend of the modern era, yet, can we call Kitty Fisher the first celebrity? Sophie Whitehead examines the life of Fisher, considering whether she can be called a celebrity in her own right.
-
The Art of Love: Ovid’s Valentine Tips
Written by Fiona Macrae. In the first century, Ovid instructed readers of the “Ars Amatoria” on how to find (and keep) love. Two millennia later, Fiona Macrae shares his guidance for the modern Classicist to employ in the search for “amor” this Valentine’s Day.
-
On Orwell’s ‘Politics and the English Language’
Written by Georgia Smith. The inherent link between politics and language, in ‘dying words,’ is discussed in relation to the life and works of George Orwell.
Retrospect Journal 