if you want to catch up with Ivanka and get ready for Nolan's Summer 2026 Blockbuster (?), @oupacademic.bsky.social has released the Oxford Critical Guide to Homer's Odyssey www.academic.oup.com/book/61677

Said it before, I'll say it again: I got told that a lot of nonsense in Gladiator 2 was fine because it wasn't a documentary. I'll happily shred Odyssey to pieces with all of you, whilst simultaneously noting how interesting it is that some things are apparently more sacrosanct than others.

Something new for 2026… (You guys are always telling me I need to voice audiobooks, so, here we go!) YOU ARE ODYSSEUS, the many-minded man, the most famous adventure hero of all time. Join me, L Jenkinson-Brown, for this atmospheric, interactive, audiobook podcast…

A Saturnalia present to myself: a raging ear infection. Happy bloody holidays

FB memories tells me that it is exactly 8 years since I received my unconditional offer for my Classical Studies BA at Birkbeck. I'm a little bit stunned to think how much I've managed to cram in since then. Seems like a good time to reshare this: ancientalexandra.weebly.com/blog/an-ode-...

If you’re a Bandcamp kind of person, George’s band @ostraka.bsky.social’s first album came out today! I’m so proud of them all 🥰 show them some love if you’ve got a sec ostrakamusic.bandcamp.com/album/magistri

A wonderful friend of mine wrote this essential guide to being neurodivergent in the festive period, without ripping branches off the tree in an overstimulated rage (my words, not hers): www.elephascounselling.co.uk/post/navigat...

Calling the collective brainpower of Classics! I'm designing a scholarship critique assignment with clear examples where a scholar's personal biases drove their narrative of the past. Obvious examples to me: Basil Gildersleeve William Tarn Victor Davis Hanson Who else?? #ancientsky #classicssky

I read That Article and now I'm in a bad mood.

I haven't done any tour guiding in ages. I miss it, I might have to resurrect some of my London tours for 2026. Anyone up for Pepys Show?

To me, the festive period means grazing. This year, try my modernised version of a Roman sauce. It takes mere minutes to make and only has 4 steps, but packs a warming punch that pairs perfectly with cheese, cold cuts and Boxing Day leftover feasts. www.workingclassicists.com/zine/eating-...

Total is currently up to $267! greekmythcomix.gumroad.com for random fun end-of-term and school holiday activities. Most are pocket-money prices, or free/choose-what-to-pay. All of it will go to the two charities below this month.

Thank you to @belovedofoizys.bsky.social for the latest 'Academic process and Digital Humanities' Post where she discusses her use of GIS in her archaeological studies

Still struggling for a gift idea for your friends and family this Christmas? Why not give a copy of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds! Give the gift of queer knowledge this year. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🎄🎁 www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-fin...

Typical. I log into LinkedIn for the first time in 3 months and the only message I have is Mark bloody Rowley asking me to join the Met Police...

I was invited by @globalmarhist.bsky.social to write a blog post about how I (a digital archaeology novice) set about building the GIS that would result in a dissertation, a journal article, and a trade book (with potential for more publications in the future.) Truly the GIS that keeps on giving...

Today calls for a Princess Bride rewatch.

2026: I will be medicated. I will be a machine. I will ACTUALLY USE the weekly planner I receive for Christmas BEYOND the 8th of January.

🚨 ISRAEL STEALING ANOTHER PALESTINIAN SITE! Academics: Now's the time to pressure your associations to step + speak up! (looking at you, @scsclassics.bsky.social + @archaeological.org members who are meeting in San Fran soon). You can follow @savesebastia on ig www.youtube.com/shorts/WsstY...

My review of All Roads Lead to Rome

AND a third series of Hjem til Jul!? Today is a good day

Happy Knives Out Wake Up Dead Man Day to all who celebrate

Publication day again (physical edition). A heady mix of Domitian, Elagabalus, Futurism and molecular gastronomy.

Oof, I really do miss it and now I'm nostalgic. The anecdotes, the tangents, the rants, the shade, the gossip, the memes and jokes, the unique little confidence boost from an encouraging smile...

I remember classmates like these, and it reminds me of a comment by (Cambridge graduate) Jimmy fucking Carr - "who needs uni when you can just find a reading list and read it?"

Russell Crowe Criticizes 'Gladiator 2' for Lacking Moral Core share.google/0qsuhGS35Jze...

A few years ago I gave a winter talk at a National Trust place. Their marketing dept. copy and pasted a lot of the info on the website from the wreath making workshop the week before, which is how 3 confused ladies ended up dutifully bringing their own secateurs to 'A History of Lascivious London'

The book's description and the table of contents are now online! www.bloomsbury.com/uk/character...

“In recent days, Ms Amsi's team was able to use heavy equipment to uncover more badly damaged manuscripts. She says it is now clear that the library's archive - seen as an invaluable record of Palestinian history, with many Ottoman records - was totally burned.” www.bbc.com/news/article...

I have something so exciting cooking for 2026 and I am having to sit on my hands to not talk about it too soon!

Over at @ics.bsky.social we are on the hunt for a Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships). This is an open-ended, open-field T&R lectureship. Please pass on the word - and consider applying if you would like to come and work with us! www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

Ok, so yes, I did order 2 of everything by mistake. ADHD on full display there. But, I *also* returned everything at the post office within 24 hours, instead of remembering the return deadline 3 months after it passes and losing all my money. I think Vyvanse may actually be helping!!

Potentially rather interesting: a 5 part docudrama about Diocletian, and all the dialogue is in Latin... www.croatiaweek.com/croatias-lar...

I should note the context - I voiced the opinion that genocide is Bad. The bar for being a decent person is so low, really, and yet so many gammons feel the need to limbo under it like they're the drunk weird uncle at a wedding.

Just got called a 'lefty woke historian' on FB - I'm not sure why the guy thought it was an insult, it's EXACTLY the vibe I'm going for!

The giveaway is now OPEN and closes at 5pm (UK time) on December 22nd 2025. Sadly, open only to UK and Eire. Winners 🎉will be randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 24th 2025. Ts&Cs available HERE: docs.google.com/docu... Bona fortuna, omnes! 🤞

Solidarity Saturnalia is upon us once again! Check out the rules and regs below, you have to be in it to win it!

My favourite holiday meme

I've just seen a museum ad on FB where they're apparently selling Henry VIII and his 6 wives Xmas wreaths, and I can't help thinking that having a wreath decorated with a man and the multiple women he abused, tortured and occasionally killed is in extremely poor taste...

I believe strongly in having a duty to nurture new talent in history. So i was very humbled to receive this in an email from an UG student's supervisor in the USA after I helped do their viva: 'a rare demonstration of collegiality and encouragement for a young scholar from an expert in the field'

I will never stop being thrilled that the mighty Jane Masseglia was my MA supervisor - here's her latest research making headlines: phys.org/news/2025-12...

I got the first proofs of my book today, including maps and plates. I'm finally allowing myself to get excited...

Apparently this week is the third anniversary of me giving my first conference paper. These last three years have been bananas!

Until two years ago, I adored Eurovision - the kitsch, the glitter, the serotonin. I do think it's irreparably damaged, and I'm thrilled to see broadcasters finally putting their foot down, but it's sad to see Eurovision disintegrating when all that was needed to keep it going was a fucking backbone

I truly am my own worst enemy. Having given myself 1 (one) day off after declaring "I will never write another book again, I am burnt out" I am already consumed with an overwhelming desire to write another one. So, this morning will be spent browsing for a new, project designated notebook.

Philology. A field wide open for re-evaluation, fresh approaches, new theoretical perspectives, and breaking open new understandings of our texts. Actually.

For ABSOLUTELY NO REASON at all, did you know that the Critical Ancient World Studies volume has three chapters on critical philology which are all OPEN ACCESS?

Just imagine what Sportula, or Working Classicists, or the CUCD et al could do with that money. How many people they could help, and how many barriers they could lower.

If anyone knows how to ease sleep and headaches caused by Vyvanse, please share your advice!!

Some shameless self promotion here… but if you’re interested in using @wikipedia.org @wikieducation.bsky.social in the classroom, I co-wrote an OPEN-ACCESS chapter on this very topic with Chelsea Gardner available here www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-... 👇🏻