In local news, the Maine Classical Association Award is currently accepting applications. This award is for high school students who have shown not only excellence in their study of Classics but also devotion to the Maine Junior Classical League. The application requires a letter of recommendation from the student’s Latin teacher as well as a current high school transcript. It is due May 16th, 2025. The full application can be found here. Please reach out to our Treasurer, Katie Collins, with any questions.
For those who celebrate, a belated Happy International Lego Classicism Day! On February 20th every year, people across the globe can partake in the social media event that encourages the exploration of and interaction with the ancient world through LEGO bricks. In addition to seeing the talented and fun ways schools, museums, even libraries participate in this event, followers of ILCD can also look forward to the unveiling of the Brick Classicist of the Year Award. In 2025, this prestigious and yellow award was given to Professor Dame Mary Beard.
With spring forward in full effect and temperatures finally above freezing, it seems our rewards as Mainers for surviving the winter are being bestowed upon us. This morning I noticed one of my favorite seasonal rewards (one might even say treasure) — the teeniest, tiniest green daffodil buds popping up in my garden. Of course my chickens noticed them as well. As the saying goes, one man’s treasure is. . . another chicken’s breakfast?
Speaking of treasures, a tomb belonging to Thutmose II of the 18th Egyptian dynasty has been recently discovered outside the city of Luxor. This is of course an exciting find for all those who have “curse of the mummy” on their 2025 bingo cards. Although largely empty of typical burial items, this tomb had not been robbed. Flood damage seems to have led to the tomb being emptied and the contents moved elsewhere. Thutmose II’s mummy had already been discovered in 1881 among the mummified remains of over 50 other royals from various Egyptian dynasties. Thutmose II was the husband of Queen Hatshepsut (a belated Happy International Women’s Day!). Read more about the tomb and discovery here.
Across the Mediterranean, another historical and artistic treasure has been uncovered. A megalography depicting aspects of the Dionysian Mysteries has been discovered in a Pompeiian house. This finding, along with the already well-known frieze at the Villa of the Mysteries, provides further insight into a largely unknown aspect of the Greco-Roman world. It is also a reminder that the Greco-Roman world was colorful and vibrant (a rather comforting reminder as we in Maine enter the season of brown). Pour yourself a glass of οἶνος and read more about the discovery here.
A little farther up the Italian coastline the results of a 13-year long excavation have brought praises to a seemingly small Roman town. At first believed to have barely survived past the 1st century BCE, archaeologists discovered that the Roman town of Interamna Lirenas, in current central Italy, survived and thrived well into the 3rd century CE. Several warehouses and a river port point to the town’s role in the Roman trade system, and there is also evidence that Julius Caesar himself may have graced the town with a visit. Read more about this almost forgotten town here.
A recent discovery in London would have either amazed or frustrated Caesar (or both). A Roman basilica has been discovered underneath a commercial building due to be torn down. Dating to around 80 CE, this basilica marks a futuristic investment by the inhabitants of the Roman settlement of Londinium. This sort of architectural commitment to the city stands out as Boudica’s revolt would have still been relatively recent. Excitingly, there is also talk about putting some of the discovered artifacts on display within the modern construction. The full NPR article can be found here.
To end, I will leave you with a reading suggestion. On February 23rd, Penguin Classics had their first hardback nonfiction book appear on the Sunday Times hardback nonfiction chart. The book? Suetonius’ De Vita Caesarum, translated by Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History podcast. Read more about The Lives of the Caesars here.