The world is in a state of upheaval at the moment, and we’re all looking for things to make us feel less anxious. Maybe Classics can help.     Today’s interview is with Steve Havelin.     Is there a source from the ancient world that you find yourself coming back to when you … More Comfort Classics: Steve Havelin

Greetings, all, from South Shields, North East England, where the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the queuers are queuing round Morrisons’ car park. I am pleased to inform you that – unlike almost every other academic on social media – I have not been baking my own sourdough bread while in lockdown. … More Weekend Reading: Baking and Piranhas

Well. We’re all now living in Interesting Times. My son is fascinated by all of this. Often, when something unusual happens (like going up a level on a video game), he’ll announce, ‘This day will Go Down In History!’. But now that the schools are closing indefinitely, he’s starting to realise that these days actually … More Weekend Reading: The Distance Between Us

It’s been a difficult week, I think it’s fair to say. There’s a lot of misery, tragedy and anxiety in the world at the moment. The internet (even the classical corner of it) is full of panic. Well, I don’t intend to add to the gloom. I’m not going to talk about historical plagues or … More Weekend Reading: Welcome Home!

Yesterday, in case you didn’t notice, was World Book Day. I noticed. It’s a day when people take to social media to post pictures of books and pretty libraries – so I didn’t get nearly as much marking done as I was intending to. I’m easily distracted by a library picture. And then of course … More Weekend Reading: The Love of Lost Books

Have I ever mentioned that I’m very competitive? It’s a character trait that I don’t notice much these days, since I mostly work on my own; but it came up again the other day. I was talking to someone who’s writing a book about Tacitus, and somehow I ended up challenging him to a Tacitus … More Weekend Reading: Anything You Can Do…

Not much from me this week, I’m afraid. What with all the excitement of International Lego Classicism Day yesterday (and the gruelling task of making it to the end of a 223-page verse novel for my contribution), combined with the chaos that is a rainy half-term holiday with a bored small child and a full … More Weekend Reading: Joining the Pantheon

Happy International Lego Classicism Day, everyone! You can follow the fun on social media using #ILCD2020, and check on the activities of the Lego Classicist Pantheon using #LCPantheon.   A Pleasant Tragedy To Stir Our Blood   This year, for my contribution to International Lego Classicism Day, I wanted to tell you the story of … More International Lego Classicism Day 2020

Today is Valentine’s Day, and for the first time in many years I have no plans. Oops. Let me revise that… Today is Valentine’s Day, and for the first time in many years I have no plans! I get to put my feet up, read a whole book in one sitting, even buy chocolates and … More Weekend Reading: Love and Romans

This week I have nothing to say, and no time in which to say it. This particular week has been been marked on my calendar for months as ‘THE BAD WEEK’; and I’m inclined to think that I may have underestimated its negative force. Fuelled by coffee, whisky and leftover pizza, I am attempting to … More Weekend Reading: Out Of Office