Spectaculum in Romā Antiquā

I’ve been studying the ancient Mediterranean since I was 12, learning the languages and studying the culture and society of its peoples. While I have also have a strong background in ancient Jewish history, most of my work has been on ancient Rome. As a public historian, I’m always looking for fun ways to talk about history, and as someone who writes and edits tabletop roleplaying games on the side, I know how much a culture’s leisure activities can say about its people. Therefore, much of what you will find here will be focused on how the Romans and others in the ancient Mediterranean had fun. I’ll be asking questions like, “Who was having fun and who was not?” “Was the spectacle of Rome really so spectacular?” “How accurate are the movies that show things like chariot races and life in the arena?”

I have my master’s in history from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, as well as a graduate certificate in public history. I am passionate about sharing history with others, and speak at libraries, conventions, and schools. If you’d like me to speak at your venue, drop me a line!

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