Summer vacation has finally come upon us, although the weather has not quite gotten the memo. While somewhat rainy days continue to be upon us, you may be finding yourself wandering into the world of online shopping. Unsure of what you are looking for as you browse endless pages of items? Find some inspiration in A$AP Rocky. At the Cannes Film Festival, he sported one heck of a watch, decorated with the face of the emperor Caracalla on a Roman coin. But perhaps you are more a fan of the Flavian dynasty. . .
If you are interested in showing your love for the ancient world in slightly less conspicuous ways, let it shine forth through your YouTube history. Check out the Kantner Brothers, a band writing their own country songs as well as Latin covers of country songs. Or if you are ever in Portland this summer (Oregon, that is), pour your passion into your stomach. A new food pop-up, Salona, focuses exclusively on the ancient art of Roman cooking, sticking to ingredients Catullus or Martial would have surely turned into quips. Dormice beware!
While the Kantner Brothers and Salona are engaging your ears and stomach, new research in the world of ancient Greek music will engage your ears and mind. Dr. Baciu has discovered that ancient musicians employed perfect tuning for their compositions based on mathematical ratios. Another win for math teachers!
Meanwhile, in northern Greece, Philip II is most likely not resting in peace. New evidence from DNA and isotopic analysis shows that the famous Tomb of Persephone is housing the remains of some other unknown Macedonian noble, not the father of Alexander the Great.
Over in Italy, a Roman family’s final resting place tells of fright and fight. In Pompeii, within the walls of the House of Helle and Phrixus, a family of four fought to survive the eruption of Vesuvius, even pushing a bed frame against the door to slow down the debris fall.
In other areas of Roman history, another type of fighting, and glory, is being reflected on. Professor Taylor, in light of recent changes to Department of Defense websites, shares his thoughts and insights into the diverse make-up of the Roman army, the written heroics that came from the many non-Italians within its ranks, and the lessons that may be learned from them.
For any educators interested in summer workshops, check out the Cambridge Classics Project and the Pre-Institute Workshops from the American Classical League. Andrew Olimpi, author of many Latin novellas including Ego Polyphemus and Labyrinthus, has also started the “Comprehensible Classics” YouTube channel, focusing on AP texts.
Well, the rain has cleared up over here, so I guess back to mulching I must go.