ante diem iv idus novembres

• ludi Plebeii (day 7) -- the festival in honour of Jupiter continues
• 251 A.D. -- martyrdom of Trypho (maybe ... maybe not)
• 303 A.D. -- martyrdom of Tiberius
• 1870 -- birth of Michael Rostovtzeff (author of The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire and the Social and Economic History of the Hellenistic World among other things)

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:39:45 AM::

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:34:04 AM::

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:27:30 AM::

Today's Classical etymological meanderings:

inveterate @ Merriam-Webster

protege @ Wordsmith

juvament @ Worthless Word of the Day

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:17:43 AM::

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:12:26 AM::

From the Pioneer Press:

 The ravages of time and man could not defeat Hermann the German.

The statue of a Germanic warrior who led his people to a decisive victory over the Romans in 9 A.D. is once again standing defiant with his sword held high over this southern Minnesota city founded by German immigrants 150 years ago.

Crews slowly hoisted the two-ton, 32-foot copper figure back onto its 70-foot base Tuesday, completing a restoration that took more than a year and cost nearly $1.2 million.

A crowd of about 200 people applauded as the tall crane lowered Hermann onto his pedestal and crews started welding him in place.

"He made it!" said Mayor Joel Albrecht.

"Hermann is obviously such an important symbol of our city," said Albrecht, who wore a black derby as he passed out Hermann postcards to the crowd. "People from all over the state and nation equate Hermann to New Ulm and the two are virtually synonymous."

The restoration effort revealed just how fragile the statue had become, and Albrecht said he was relieved it didn't collapse before it was fixed. Albrecht credited restorers with a masterful job.

"What a great day it is for us, that on the 15th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down, Hermann the freedom fighter, the person that united the Germanic tribes and defeated the Roman legions, is now back in his place," Albrecht said.

Among those watching were about nine women wearing red hats and badges and name tags the proclaimed themselves "Hermann's frauleins." They watched with laughter and delight as Hermann ascended.

"It's a pretty awesome sight," said Carol Steinhaus.

Also watching from the park surrounding Hermann's pedestal was lifelong resident Germain Hacker, who said she can trace her German heritage more than a dozen generations.

"I can remember coming up here as a little girl for family picnics," she said. "It's always been a part of me."

Time had not been kind to what's officially called The Hermann Monument.

But restorers repaired and patched the bullet holes, beefed up its inner skeleton, replaced several worn-out and rusted-out parts such as the right foot, and reattached a wing that blew off Hermann's helmet in a storm six years ago. They also rebuilt the Roman helmet and shield on which Hermann rests his left foot in triumph, as well as the stone base.

The statue depicts Hermann the Cheruscan, also known as Arminius, who led Teutonic tribes in the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. They wiped out three Roman legions and stopped the eastward expansion of the Roman empire at the Rhine River in a key turning point of European history.

Hermann eventually became a symbol of unity and independence, both in Germany and among the German immigrants who settled here.

The statue is modeled after a larger monument in Detmold, Germany, where the battle is popularly believed to have taken place, though there's some dispute among historians about where it actually happened. Detmold dedicated its monument in 1875; New Ulm followed suit in 1897.

The inscription on a new copper heart inside the statue here reads: "Hermann, 9 A.D., A Freedom Fighter, Born Again in New Ulm, Minnesota USA, 2004."

Interesting ... a while back on the Classics list we were also getting updates on the return of the colossal statue of Vulcan to its place in Birmingham ... are there any other cities which have massive landmark statues of Classical influence which seem sort of 'out of place' (i.e. the statue of Arminius near Detmold seems 'in place')?

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:07:40 AM::

Washington University in St. Louis invites applications and nominations for the The John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professorship in Classics, at the rank of Full Professor.  The successful candidate will be a leader in the field of Classics, with an outstanding record in scholarship and teaching, both graduate and undergraduate.  We seek a scholar with a specialization in one of the following fields: Greek or Latin literature and language, linguistics, or papyrology. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, but those received before December 15, 2004 will be considered together shortly after that date.  Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and the names of three references to: Susan Rotroff, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Classics, 201 January Hall (CB 1050), Washington University, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis MO 63130.

Washington University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.  Women, minority candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

... seen on AegeaNet

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:46:50 AM::

The Department of Classics at the University of California, Berkeley has been authorized to appoint an Academic Coordinator (non-tenure track, 50%) in Classical Archaeology (effective July 1, 2005) as Director of the newly established Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology; in addition, there may be opportunities to supplement salary up to 100% through teaching in the Department.  The successful candidate will have a Ph.D.  in classics, archaeology or a related field, at least three years of excavation experience in Greece, knowledge of classical sites in Greece and the Mediterranean, successful teaching experience, evidence or promise of publication in classical archaeology, fluent command of English and good command of modern Greek, knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin, good organizational skills, and the ability to deal courteously and effectively with a wide variety of people.  Some experience in fundraising and with Greek governmental agencies is desirable.  Ph.D. or equivalent must be in hand by July 1, 2005.  This is initially a one year appointment, renewable for up to five years.  Salary range $50,000-$60,000 at 100% rate; actual salary within this range commensurate with qualifications.  We encourage applicants of all levels, from junior to emeriti.

Deadline for application is January 10, 2005 (postmark).  Send letter of application and full CV to Professor Robert Knapp, Chair, Executive Committee, Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology, 7233 Dwinelle Hall #2520, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-2520 (FAX 510-643-2959).  Junior candidates (ABDs and candidates who completed the Ph.D. within the past 5 years) should have dossiers and a writing sample sent directly to the above address as soon as possible; all other candidates should provide names and addresses of references and a list of publications.

Full information about the Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology is at http://nemeacenter.berkeley.edu/  Candidates are urged to familiarize themselves with that background material before making application.
Inquiries about this ad may be addressed to Professor Knapp at rcknapp@berkeley.edu.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

... seen on the Classics list

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:45:33 AM::

 The Department of Classics of Rutgers University-New Brunswick announces a possible one-year position (renewable for second year), subject to final authorization, for a generalist with a specialty in archaic or classical Greek poetry.  Applicants should anticipate completion of the Ph.D. by June 2005. Please have cover letter, CV, writing sample, and three letters of recommendation arrive by 15 December 2004 c/o Professor Leah Kronenberg, Department of Classics, Ruth Adams Building 006, 131 George Street, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 08901. Interviews will be conducted at the January 2005 APA Annual Meeting. Rutgers University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

... seen on the Classics list

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:43:54 AM::

Patrick Gray, Godly Fear: The Epistle to the Hebrews and Greco-Roman Critiques of Superstition, Review of Biblical Literature

... another review of the same book, also at RBL

(both pdf)

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:41:45 AM::

Here's an interesting tidbit from a Reuters piece yakking about television ratings this past weekend:

History Channel got better news Sunday from its "Alexander the Great" special, which was the highest-rated nonsports program of the night on basic cable, reaching 3.1 million viewers. "Alexander" was the most watched original program on History this year.

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:37:26 AM::

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Incredible Monuments of Rome
A look at the Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum, and other ancient monuments that were often places of ritualistic human sacrifices and torture.

8.00 p.m. |HINT|Ancient Cities Bordering on Latium
Ever wonder what happened to a territory after it was overthrown by the indomitable Roman Army? Within the Roman conquered territories of Latium and Umbria (located on the Italian peninsula), we'll tour several ancient cities including Alatri, Fregellae, and Amelia, and see how the land was divided up between the defeated inhabitants and legionnaires who stayed behind to occupy the newly acquired land. We'll even take a virtual tour inside the spectacular new home of a wealthy Roman citizen! Viewers experience the cutting-edge of archaeological exploration through location photography, insights from some of the world's leading archaeologists, and state-of-the-art technology coupled with enhanced 3-D graphics.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| Retracing the Tracks of Hannibal.   
In the 3rd century BC, the Punic Wars fought between Carthage and Rome left the ancient world in turmoil. Following the path of the fearless Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca, who lead his advancing army across the Alps--with elephants!--to sack Italy, we visit the majestic ruins from the period of the Roman Republic, and gaze upon the amazing temple of Capitoline Jupiter as it looked when it was completed--thanks to amazing virtual reconstruction.

HINT = History International
 

::Wednesday, November 10, 2004 4:35:27 AM::