Tag: Ancient Rome
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Ethics of Looking: The Appeal of Female Agony

Ami John analyses the contentious but deeply relevant idea of female agony through the lens of the ancient Roman sculpture, Nymph and Satyr.
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An Introduction to the Role of Roman Mime Actresses Within Ancient Roman Society

Bethany Hicks-Gravener considers Roman mime as a unique theatrical genre of female performance in Ancient Rome.
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Desire and Transformation: Sex and Love in Apuleius’s Metamorphosis

Apuleius’s Metamorphosis intricately explores the themes of sex and love through the protagonist Lucius’s experiences in the Roman Empire. Marnie Camping-Harris analyses how these elements shape the narrative, revealing societal standards and showcasing both heterosexual and homoerotic relationships throughout the novel.
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Power Dynamics in Plautus’ Mostellaria (The Ghost)

Titus Maccius Plautus, a Roman dramatist, created influential Latin comedies with fast-paced, witty retorts. Gilbert Edwards explores the interesting dynamics at play in his comedy Mostellaria.
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Aqua Tofana: Bottled Revenge of the 17th Century Wife

What is this notorious poison, and who are the women responsible for its creation? Lila Winstanley explores the use of the poison Aqua Tofana, first used in Rome in the 1650s.
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The Ancient Roman Origins of Pizza

The pizza we know and love today has come a long way from the vegetable-topped meal cakes enjoyed by Aeneas. Fiona MacRae discusses the ancient origins of this popular dish.
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The People of the Gaps: Rescuing Roman Slaves from Obscurity

With limited textual evidence, understanding the lives of enslaved people in Ancient Rome is a difficult task. Verity Limond examines how the archaeological record may be used to shed more light on their lived experience.
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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.
