Great news! JSTOR now have a free account with an Independent Researcher category. You can access 100 documents per month www.jstor.org/action/showL...

Excellent work

Interesting thoughts by @goodacre.bsky.social . I was recently having a discussion on ‘X’ and the issue of the continued problematical consensus of oral tradition, particularly in Biblical Studies, came up.

All modern footballers are, of course, pampered prima-donnas who faint at the merest whiff of being crushed to death by a galloping team of maniacal farm animals, the great simpering babies! Romans, however, had to earn their money! But how much did they earn? open.substack.com/pub/jamescov...

The Institute of Classical Studies is launching a newsletter. Sign up to stay updated on announcements, events, fellowships, grants, and upcoming activities of the ICS. The newsletter will be sent monthly in term time. mailchi.mp/sas/ics-news...

#AncientBlueSky #Archaeology #RomanHistory #History In my head, ancient Rome smells of copper, methane and the colour purple. But what did it actually smell like, according to the sources? open.substack.com/pub/jamescov...

The scholarly paper: Assael, Yannis, Thea Sommerschield, Alison Cooley, et al. “Contextualizing Ancient Texts with Generative Neural Networks.” Nature, Nature Publishing Group, July 23, 2025, 1–7. doi.org/10.1038/s415....

Google AI has developed a tool to predict the missing text in inscriptions, which is nice! I 'developed' a ChatGPT prompt that could do this two years ago, and I'm a clumsy buffoon, but... www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Absolutely get your eyes on this! Great work. 👀

As a parent of an autistic child it’s fantastic to read about this work being done.

Today’s charity shop book haul. A present from my partner. She knows me well.

Classics For All are looking for a new trustee! They've asked us if we can share the following info: "Classics for All is recruiting new Trustees to help us expand access to ancient world studies in UK state schools - particularly in areas of disadvantage...

After announcing it at the Classical Association Conference over the weekend, today we launch our Working Classicists Guide to Event Accessibility. In it, we suggest ways to equalise access and eliminate anxieties around event attendance. Read more: www.workingclassicists.com/zine/working...

Scroll from the Piso villa in Herculaneum on show at the Bodleian Libraries.

1. Scam alert thread! 🧵 Watch out for out-of- the-blue emails from supposed marketing experts claiming they just happened on your book & are eager to promote it. This is something I'm seeing more and more of. Marketing scams aren't new, but this is a new twist.

A reminder to please vote for Duke Humfrey's in the 1000 libraries global 'Top Ten Most Beautiful Libraries' competition - and a big thank you to everybody who has voted for us so far. 1000libraries.typeform.com/to/TdFzuF5W?....

Huge well done to all the winners!

Archaeological excavations on Via Alessandrina, just a few meters from Trajan’s Forum, uncovered an imposing marble head depicting a male face with pronounced features, abundant hair, and an intense expression. #ClassicsBluesky 🏺 www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/06/l...

Starts 9th July!! New online course: Ancient Rome in 50 Monuments, by Dr Paul Roberts. Each Wednesday from 9th July to 6th August 2025, 6.00pm - 7.30pm (UK time) + recordings will be available Information and booking at: www.hellenicandromanlibrary.org/Events/Event... #ClassicsBluesky 🏺

An interesting read here.

Interesting read www.theguardian.com/science/2025... Many of Dead Sea scrolls may be older than thought, experts say | Archaeology | The Guardian

Reading an interesting note on how the Tudors got Richard III wrong by historian Philippa Langley in @historyextra.bsky.social She says, “…history can make no progress unless it’s ready to test and deconstruct generally held traditions and assumptions…” I agree, regardless of subject matter.

A very good and interesting article on Roman education and the lack of mass education.

View the Parthenon as it stood in 432 BCE. A historian recreated the awe-inspiring structure for VR. #ClassicsBluesky 🏺 www.popsci.com/science/part...

A sealed Herculaneum scroll yields its secrets—revealing a lost philosophical treatise by Philodemus through virtual unwrapping. #ClassicsBluesky 🏺 gizmodo.com/ai-identifie...

Happy International Workers' Day! ✊ Solidarity to all! May your rights be respected, your work rewarded, and your passions reignited!

Our annual awards are now open! Nominate someone who is doing lovely things in Classics. Maybe you know a teacher, or an enthusiast, or an archaeologist, or an artist, or a podcaster, or... It takes a minute and can have a huge impact. Go on... click the link! 🖱️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Brilliant

Fiery ash cloud that dissipated quickly was likely first deadly event during Mount Vesuvius eruption. #ClassicsBluesky 🏺 www.independent.co.uk/news/science...

Currently on holiday with my partner and son. My son and I are very happy with this find in a charity shop.

'Technology reveals ancient text inside burnt Herculaneum scroll'

Our friends at contubernales.bsky.social are having a sale which INCLUDES our new book A Periodic Table of Greek Mythology! Buying direct from Contubernales means we don't lose half the profit to fees and stuff like we do on other sites, which means more money toward our outreach projects.

Agreed. Great news.

Thanks to @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for the wonderful write-up about A Periodic Table of Greek Mythology in @heraldscotland.bsky.social this morning!

If you've got 10 minutes, can you help this MA candidate with their dissertation on the motivations of history practioners of every type?

Some reading for the current mood. It pays to be vigilant and speak clearly about your stance on these issues within our discipline and beyond. www.workingclassicists.com/zine/the-ant...

Fun fact - the "roman salute" is a myth. There is no mention anywhere in Roman literature or iconography of such actions. We think otherwise because of films and 19th-century art ... oh yes and the Italian fascists and Nazis who pretended it was a thing. One might even call it "Fake history".

Indeed. Happy festival of Sol Invictus!

Just signed chng.it/2FXRmXmXC9

Excellent. A logical explanation that doesn’t claim to be the answer but is explained well. Thanks @profaliceroberts.bsky.social for sharing.

A very interesting video. I agree with the final words of Flint that our historical understanding is not set in stone and is constantly evolving. It is an approach that should be applied to all areas of historical research.

Yes, just a bit of irony coming from a Vicar…

Very interesting article about assumptions and scientific evidence.

Just been informed of this upcoming lecture on prosthetics and assistive technology in ancient Greece and Rome by @jldraycott.bsky.social on 5th December. Looks absolutely fascinating and right up our street. It's free to register! www.york.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

In case you missed it… We’re giving away a sleigh-load of books 📚🎄🤭 🏛️🏺🎁

“He owns holy relics…a bit from the Crown of Thorns”…a fragment of the True Cross…” Of course he does. Sorry Mr Mogg, I believe you’ve been duped. www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv/2...

My 2024 Classics Christmas Gift Guide is now out, and full of many pretty things! Do check it out, share, and support small businesses! #AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky 🏺 classicalstudies.support/2024/11/27/t...

In "Gladiator II," Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, the namesake of a historical emperor with a thrilling story. #ClassicsBluesky 🏺 www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...

I really do think the art of Flora is brilliant.

Ooh - this is a nice little pre-seasonal gift to unwrap!