It’s been a long month!

I’ve always enjoyed a challenge – the tougher the better. Routine work grinds me down, but a challenge wakes me up. That’s why I used to be great at exams, but hated coursework. Sometimes I’d take on extra exams at school (like special papers and General Studies) just for the fun of a tougher challenge.

Yes, I know it’s odd…!

So when a challenge comes along (at least, a challenge that doesn’t involve me going anywhere or spending money), I tend to be the first one in line, despite a disapproving chorus of friends and family chanting, ‘But when will you find time to sleep?’.

Such was the case with #ClassicsTober. The problem is not so much the daily challenge of producing a drawing, which under ideal conditions I can certainly do. The problem is that October is always a hefty work month, and also it’s the time when I tend to catch seasonal bugs. Two years ago I had to abandon #ClassicsTober completely after being hit by a nasty case of Covid, from which I still haven’t fully recovered. This year I’ve had a nasty recurring virus all through October, which keeps surprising me with new twists – today, for instance, I can’t speak at all, due to a throat infection.

So I’ve been limping to the finish line a bit – but it’s been an absolute joy to see so many people having fun with Greek Myth through the month! We’ve seen artwork, poetry, music, drama, artefacts, mosaics, wall paintings and much more; every day new people have been joining in with enthusiasm, and have been welcomed by the rest of the #ClassicsTober community. People have been asking whether it will run again next year – and given the scale of interest, I think we can say that it definitely will!

I’ve put a video of all my drawings on my Patreon page, for anyone who’s willing and able to contribute.

That’s where you’ll find most of my art-related stuff from now on. Do check occasionally, because even if you can’t pay to support my work, some of the content I post will be freely available to everyone! And thank you so much to the people who signed up to be patrons last week – your support makes such a difference!

I’ll also be doing a proper write-up of the #ClassicsTober initiative – more on that next week, hopefully…

Looking ahead to November, I have four book projects on the go, several art commissions, a research project to finalise, two talks to write, and an exciting application which I can’t tell you about yet! I’ll also be posting quite a few book reviews here. And in the middle of the month I have two fantastic high spots which I’m very excited about – going to see Mary Beard at the Northern Stage in Newcastle, and going to the OU graduation ceremony at the Sage Gateshead. So if you’re going to either of those too, do drop me a line – it would be great to see you! If not, don’t worry – I will no doubt be posting many pictures here!

This week from around the classical internet

Not many links to post this week because the Rogue Classicist, who normally rounds up all Classics-related activity, is in hospital following a stroke. Sending best wishes, David, for a full and speedy recovery – we need our Chief back!

News

Rich Roman athlete – The Daily Mail

Roman-era swords found in Gloucestershire – The Past

Cicero cleared of murder – The Times

Massive sculpture unearthed in Iraq – Tehran Times

Comment and opinion

The Iliad’s opening lines – Literary Hub

Who is the hero of the Iliad? – Kiwi Hellenist

Backing up the Future in the Iliad – Painful Signs

Werewolves in the Ancient Novels – Retrospect Journal

Graduate student feature – Peopling the Past

Why Sparta? Classics and the Alt-Right – CSMFHT

From Classical Studies Memes for Hellenistic Teens on Twitter

Podcasts, video and other media

The Romans (with Mary Beard) – The Guilty Feminist

Overboard! debate – Classics For All

Frogs in Ancient Greek – Greek City Times