Ithaca and Sappho (unrelated!)

Edited to add: There were some troubles when posting last night. Apparently, this post was showing but wasn't really there (i.e. you couldn't comment or even edit), and the previous post on the Smithsonian lectures had disappeared altogether. I think it's all been fixed, but there's a chance some ghost posts might show up. Hopefully not.

First, there was a lovely article posted on Classics-L today about the discovery of Odysseus' Ithaca.

Another link was also posted about the book. Lots of good stuff there.

I personally think it's a really exciting find, and I hope to see more about it!

Secondly, Ralph Hancock posted his own verse "version" of the new Sappho poem on Classics-L list today. I'm copying it here with his permission:

My children, seize the lovely gifts
The fragrant Muses bring
Carried within their violet skirts;
The lyre with clear-toned string.

I was as lithe as you; since then,
Old age has taken toll:
My hair has turned as white as snow,
That once was black as coal.

My heart is heavy in my breast,
My knees are stiff and sore.
Once I could dance like a young fawn;
Such times will come no more.

Though I may groan about my lot,
There's nothing I can do.
Time passes, and it takes with it
The lives of me and you.

Think of Tithonus, loved by Dawn;
Clasped in her rosy arms
She bore him to her distant bed,
Enjoyed his youthful charms,

Won him the gift of endless life;
Yet he grew old and grey
Beside her, as she sadly passed
Her endless youth away.

For the Greek, see here.

For other translations, see here. For the original Sappho posts and links to the original TLS article, see here.

Oh, and don't any of you forget that Buy a Friend a Book Week, started by Debra Hamel at blogographos, is SOON upon us! In fact, it starts tomorrow (or likely, by the time you read this, today)! So go forth and find that perfect book for a friend! :-D

Smithsonian Resident Association Program lectures for October

I just realised October is almost upon us! That means I should probably pimp the October lectures. I also just realised they've separated the lecture series into "courses," so I might have missed announcing some last month. Oops.

Wednesday, October 5 @ 6:30PM - Pompeii: Reading Clues from Cataclysms with John Dobbins.

Although, that's just poor timing, because it's at the same time as the Paul Cartledge lecture ("What the Spartans Have Done for Us"). Yes, I'm going to be pimping that as often as possible.

Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:30PM - A Walking Tour of Naples (by Armchair) with Tommaso Astarita.

Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:30PM - Ancient Rome--A Virtual Tour! with Diane Favro.

Thursday, October 20 @ 6:30PM - Managing n Empire--Roman Style with Susan Mattern-Parkes.

There are lots of exciting lectures, so I'd recommend looking at them all yourself.

As for the courses:

Wednesday, October 5, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16 @ 6:30PM - Hail Caesar! with Steven Rutledge. It covers Caesar through the Flavians. This is the same professor who did Fiddling with Nero this summer.

Tuesday, October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15 @ noon - Text and Trowel: Exploring Biblical Cities Through Archaeology with Sandra Scham.

Wednesday, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7 @ noon - Visual Experience: An Introduction to Art and Architecture with Karin M.E. Alexis.

Monday, October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21 @ 6:30PM - The Crusades: Centuries of Turmoil with Stefan Zimmers.

More on the "new" Sappho

Apparently, the earlier typed editions have had typos, and Patrick Rourke provides us with an updated edition here.

So, spread it if you can, and hopefully it'll replace the incorrect versions now swimming around on the 'net.

Paul Cartledge lecture update

Just a quick note to say that there is now an official online announcement of the Paul Cartledge lecture.

All I can say is it's about time!

Must run to class now.

HBO's Rome ep 5

Another excellent episode! This review is going to be a bit more thorough and linear than usual, since David Meadows has yet to post one of his excellently thorough reviews. But I'm not going to do a blow-by-blow. In fact, I'm feeling a bit lazy tonight (and have some Latin to read), so I'll just post my notes:

-Atia accuses (and encourages!) Octavius of "seducing" Caesar. While I am all for homosexuality and understand homosexual practices in Rome, that particular pairing rather hurts my head! I'm thinking it goes a bit too far, and I've never seen literary evidence to suggest this. That, of course, doesn't mean it doesnt' exist.
-Vorenus: "You should be in camp!" Pullo: "There's nothing to do there--it's boring!" Pullo sounds like a schoolboy!
-WOW, they said "hoi polloi," not "the hoi polloi."
-Vorenus' slaves from Gaul all get sick/dying--more money woes for the family
-Octavius is an excellently snarky boy!
-Octavius, who being trained by Pullo, whom Atia hired to teach him "manly" things: "I dare say I can kill people readily enough, as long as they're not fighting back!"
-"How happy, eh, to be a slave, to have no will, make no decisions--driftwood. How very restful it must be."--I think that was Pompey talking to the slave who gave him Caesar's rejection for the truce.
-VERY explicit Caesar/Servilia sex graffiti, including pictures. "Caesari Servilia Futatrix" "Servilia Caesaris fellator" "Caes Servilia Cinaed" "Caesari futat Servi[...]" -- it seems they were trying to use "futuere" and completely messed it up. Ignorant pleb strikes again? Also, shouldn't "fellator" be "fellatrix" if they mean that Servilia is the one sucking? Otherwise, I'm not sure with what that is supposed to match.
-Vorenus gets hired as a bodyguard for a "businessman"
-businessman friend says the forum is only for *closing* deals
-Vorenus gets asked to kill someone who won't pay--walks out instead
-Caesar leaves Servilia--she slaps him, but he slaps her back and leaves her kneeling on the floor, crying.
-Vorenus goes back to Marc Antony for a job
-Servilia curses Caesar and Atia (who she discovers is the one who sent people to put up the graffiti). She summons Tyche, Megara and Nemesis: "By the spirits of my ancestors, I curse Gaius Julius Caesar. Let his penis wither; let his bones crack; let him see his legions drown in their own blood. Gods of the inferno I offer to you his limbs, his head, his mouth, his breath, his speech, his hands, his liver, his heart, his stomach. Gods of the inferno, let me see him suffer deeply, and I will rejoice and sacrifice to you."
-a bit later: "By the spirits of my ancestors, I curse Atia of the Julii. Let dogs rape her. Let her children die and her houses burn. Let her live a long life of bitter misery and shame. Gods of the inferno, I offer to you her limbs, her head, her mouth, her breath, her speech, her heart, her liver, her stomach. etc."
-the seeds of Augustus! Octavius threatens to torture Evander if he doesn't tell the truth about his relationship with Niobe. Has Pullo cut off his thumbs! They kill him when he confesses that the child is his. They decide not to tell Vorenus.
-some ritual for Vorenus becoming a soldier again.

They've thrown in a lot in this episode. There were a lot of wonderful details, but I'm afraid I'm a little uncertain as to the validity of a couple points. Hopefully, some of you can comment. I liked the touches, though, and the characters are developing well.

I'm not sure I'll have time to continue watching Rome in a timely manner later in the semester, so I'm not sure if I'll be keeping up with these updates. I'm not even entirely sure many of you care. So, comment if you do, and I'll attempt to keep writing them.

Also, an excellent link posted in rogueclassicism today: Lost 1899 Cleopatra short film by Georges Melies found.

My class discussing technology in literature in the 19th century has me even more pumped up about this than I'd already be. I do hope we'll be able to see it soon!

Intelligent Design

Just dropping in to post this from the New Yorker.

A friend of mine showed me the link. It's not entirely Classics related, but Apollo and Aphrodite make appearances.

Click it. You know you wanna. ;-)

I should have a new Rome update for you all tomorrow!

Ah sweet index cards

I've been avoiding index cards this past semester and a half, because when my second semester of Latin and my first semester of Greek came together under unholy auspices, I realised I would soon be inundated in index cards. The chances were great that they would one day find me dead and buried somewhere in my room with my piles of index cards.

That said, my vocabulary retention went straight to hell last semester, so I've decided (reluctantly) to continue my quick spiral towards death by index cards.

I've started my Greek index cards, but eventually (in theory), I'll make my Latin index cards as well. I'm certainly at that point where I feel like I don't need my undivided attention on understanding grammatical points, anyway.

In other news, narrowing down a list of grad schools is proving more cumbersome than expected. How can you know from a website which schools will suit you? Or which schools will even take your application seriously? I know, I should e-mail them, but I hate bothering people I don't know. And seriously, what do you say in these e-mails? They will be as much a part of the application process as the application itself.

And, honestly, if I judged our department by our website, I doubt very much that I'd have a favourable opinion of it. But I can't imagine a group of people under whom I would rather have studied these past few years for my undergrad degree. The gods have smiled up on me so far.

Edited to add: This just in from the Classics-L list. Tulane University's Department of Classical studies has a blog with news pertaining to Katrina. They are still trying to find out about a couple of their grad students. They also have a webpage with current contact info here.

New Classics website!

The world of Glaukôpis has been rather busy these days, but enlightening. I've been caught between cramming in Latin and Greek, fascinating discussions on mythology and technology in fiction, contemplating various papers, and planning projects.

So far I've managed to stay on top of everything, but that's because I've not yet had any major assignments due. I'm waiting for it all to come crumbling down again. Semester crunch-time will come crashing before I know it! Eheu.

In much more exciting news, a new Classics website is now in works, especially for undergrad Classics majors. Pasiphae's Pants is an online undergrad journal on Women in Antiquity, and they're looking for submissions. I certainly hope you all will spread the word and even make your own submissions!

Also, I hope those of you in the D.C. area don't forget Paul Cartledge's lecture and Latin Day, both, incidentally, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

HBO's Rome ep 4

Hrm, not a whole lot to say about this latest episode. It was very good, filled with nice details. David Meadows summarises it pretty thoroughly here.

It was one of those episodes where they were showing off that they'd done a lot of research into various Roman practices. While the doormice didn't bother me, it was a bit disconcerting to see a goat getting castrated just so Atia could force Octavius to eat goat testicles, though!

I also saw more of Marc Antony than I needed to see, but I do like that they were using the strigil.

There was also a lot of demonstration of various forms of augury. Vorenus' wife consults a woman reading a liver, and the birds (set up) confirm that the gods look favourably upon Caesar's actions.

Another good point was the contrast of the two dinner parties--the one Vorenus was holding to establish new business connections, and the one Caesar and Atia were holding. It was very well done, and reinforced for the audience the differences and similarities between the upper and lower classes. Again, one of my favourite things about this show is that it is so concerned with the plebeians as well.

Anyway, if you're not already watching Rome, I highly suggest you do everything in your power to catch it!

And in case you haven't heard, the show has been renewed for a second season!

ACTFL in Baltimore

This is another PSA for the east-coasters. It just landed in my mailbox from Latinteach. Also, my apologies for not posting much lately. I've just been getting busier and busier.

November 18-20, 2005
Hyatt Regency &
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD





Houses of Mortals and Gods: Latin Literature in Context

Friday, November 18, 2005, 10:15:00 AM - 11:30:00 AM in 328 Convention Center
Presenters: Sr. Therese Marie Dougherty (organizer), Elizabeth Gephardt, Alana Lukes, Ann Rader, Vikki Rhodes

Using Vitruvius, panelists will discuss the domus and insula of ancient Rome, then move to a discussion of the triclinium and Roman dining customs based on Martial. An excerpt from the Res Gestae will accompany the creation of a live model of the Ara Pacis reliefs, with audience participation.



Novus Ordo Seclorum: America's Classical Traditions

Friday, November 18, 2005, 11:30:00 PM - 2:45:00 PMin 332 Convention Center

Presenters: Gregory Staley (organizer), Deborah Carter, Sue Comstock, Mary Catherine Moshos, and Vanessa Zeiner.

Although America was never part of the Roman empire, Rome has shaped the appearance of Washington, given us a political vocabulary, and provided spectacles for Hollywood. Participants from an NEH workshop at the University of Maryland will help Latin teachers bring these traditions to life in their classrooms.



What About Those Crazy Myths? Alternative Readings of Mythology

Friday, November 18, 2005, 4:45:00 PM - 6:00:00 PM in 324 Convention Center

Presenter: Cheryl Ann Ewing, Oakcrest School

Students often find mythology interesting but incredible and they often how anyone could believe these stories. This workshop will attempt to present mythology in light of work current being done in this field that gives different readings to these ancient stories and present teachers with tools for classroom use.



Technology Taking Latin (and other languages) into the 21st Century

Saturday, November 19, 2005, 9:45:00 AM - 11:00:00 AM in 331 Convention Center

Presenter: David Volk:, Fargo Public Schools

Participants will be exposed to some of latest in technologies that can enhance foreign language learning. The three technology devices are the Smart Board, CPS System remotes, and Kartouche software.



Promoting the Lesser Taught Languages: Sharing the Latin Experience

Sunday, November, 20, 2005, 8:00:00 AM - 9:15:00 AM in 302 Convention Center

Tom Sienkewicz, Paul Weiss, Sally Davis, and Joe Troncale

Latin teachers will share with teachers of other foreign languages some of their recent experiences and techniques in promoting the study of Latin after its decline in the 1960's. The purpose of this session is to show how foreign language teachers can work together to promote diverse foreign language study.



Some Pedagogical Models from the Latin Classroom

Sunday, November, 20, 2005, 9:45 AM - 11:00:00 AM in 349 Convention Center

Presenters: Bee English: Creativity with Catullus (20 minutes)

Lillian Doherty: A Study Tour to Discover the Classical Tradition in Europe (20 minutes)

Ann Renzy McClean: Putting the Onus on the Student and Other Efficient Ways to Manage the Overcrowded Classroom (20 minutes)

Paul Cartledge lecture

I have some really exciting news for those of you in the D.C. area. Paul Cartledge is apparently going to be in the area for a local meeting (Classical Association of the Atlantic States) and thus is also going to be doing a lecture at the University of Maryland, College Park on Wednesday, October 5th at 7PM in room 1407 in the Chemistry Building.

I saw this on a flier today, and I've been searching for online information to no avail. The Society for the Preservation of Greek Heritage and a couple other organisations are responsible for this lecture. I'm going to see if I can get any more information later.

More PSAs

First, for those of you interested in the Sappho fragment, I came across this lecture by Dr. Edwin Floyd at the University of Pittsburgh on September 26th. I guess my Sappho poem coverage has been getting around, because I just noticed that he links to the jpg I provided if you click on the details of the presentation. I just found this on the net, so I have no idea if it's open to the public. It is, however, posted online, so I'm guessing that it is until somebody tells me otherwise!

Secondly, I've permission from the author to repost this, which was posted to Latinteach:

Just a note to alert all in the Mid-Adlantic area of the next mouth-watering Dickinson Classics Dept. Workshop:

FROM DINING TABLE TO BANQUET HALL: MEALS AND FEASTS IN THE ROMAN WORLD

presenter: JOHN F. DONAHUE

(Dr. Donahue is Assistant Professor of Classical Studies at the College of William and Mary, and the author of _The Roman Community at Table During the Principate_ [U. Michigan 2004])

WHEN: Saturday, November 5, 2005. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

WHERE: Carlisle, PA (near Harrisburg). Dickinson College campus, Tome Building, on the 200 block of West Louther Street, Room 115.

DETAILS: This free workshop is offered to primary and secondary school teachers with interest, but you must register to attend. You may do so by emailing: mcdonalb at dickinson dot edu.

Act 48: The Dickinson Department of Classical Studies is an approved provider of professional development opportunities under Pennsylvania Act 48. Those who complete our workshops receive Act 48 credit.


PS: this year's freebie will be a copy of prof. Donahue's edited volume, _Roman Dining_ (a special issue of the American Journal of Philology, 2005) for every pre-registered participant. Hope you can make it, and please pass this on to any colleagues who might be interested.

--Chris Francese

So yes, lots of fun and exciting things going on here on the east coast. I advertise Classics things as I see them, so don't hesitate to send me an e-mail if you want something pimped.

HBO's Rome ep 3

Well, my prof made me feel guilty that I hadn't watched this week's episode of Rome yet, and sifting through differences between the 1818 and 1831 editions Frankenstein was getting tedious (I can't stand the whining, but it does have literary merit), so I did end up watching the third episode tonight.

First, if you haven't read it, David Meadows' review and summary is up here.

I do have to disagree with David, this time, and say that I actually enjoyed this episode. He is correct in that it is not exactly riveting and plot-driven, but I think the character dynamics held well. It is a transitional episode, but I liked what they did. I guess it goes back to what I've been liking the most about this show--Rome really comes alive, even in what may seem to be the more mundane details.

One of the things that I loved (and that, admittedly, my prof pointed out today before I'd watched the episode) was how they included the red ribbon stringing together the death masks and symbolising the bloodline of the family. That was an amazing amount of detail.

I also like how the horse trader (whom I've now dubbed "horseshit guy") tried to dish it out back at Atia by trying to sexually manipulate her. He, of course, ultimately fails.

Also, am I the only person who IMMEDIATELY thought of Timon and Pumba from The Lion King in the scene where Vorenus and Pullo are lying by the campfire, looking up at the stars? They even talked about some of the same star theories! Yes, I realise it's a common thing to do, but I thought of The Lion King even before they started speaking, just because it gave out vibes! Somebody please tell me I'm not crazy for thinking this...

Also, the graffiti on the walls after Atia's party--as David Meadows noted, there was "CINAED," "ATIA AMAT OMNES" and "ATIA FELLAT." Now, the question that arose in another discussion list, and the one that's bugging me now--what is the AATT directly underneath "FELLAT"? Does that stand for something? Any ideas?

And to answer David Meadows' question, yes, Atia did have something to do with Glabius' death. When horseshit guy goes to kill him, he says that Atia sent him. Also, before that, she says that her daughter's issue needs to be taken care of, and then she sends horseshit guy to gather his men the moment he comes to her bed. I really liked the later scene between Octavia and Atia. Admittedly, I was rooting for Atia to be able to deceive Octavia, just because I felt so bad for the girl. It seems like it would be easier for her if she didn't believe her mother had killed her ex-husband.

Other things I liked about the characters:
-Octavius is showing real signs of becoming Augustus. He's not a stupid boy like he was in The Empire.
-Pullo and Vorenus are a wonderful contrast together. I especially love Pullo. I suspect, if you buy into Meyers-Briggs-Jung typology, that Vorenus is an ISTJ and Vorenus an ESFP. That's off-the-cuff guessing, though, and I'm not an expert.
-family struggles--particularly the Vorenus/Niobe tension and probably rebuilding and the scene between Brutus and his mother (where he leaves with Pompey's faction, and she stays behind for Caesar)
-Cato is just so amusing!

So I'm definitely hooked on this show. It has honestly surpassed my expectations, even in what was arguably one of the weaker episodes in terms of plot. I really do think they more than made up for it in detail.

I was going to tell you, dear readers, how fascinating my mythology class is, but I suspect you prefer reading about Rome. Instead, I'll leave you with this thought: this blog is certainly my way of saying, "Tolfink carved these runes in this stone."

Various PSAs

So I'm not really sure if this is a hoax, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt anyone to comment here to help raise funds for Katrina aid.

Also, just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day for students to get 20% off at Borders.

And don't forget, you can use that discount to...



First week of October!

Debra Hamel is actually running a contest for bloggers who advertise Buy a Friend a Book Week. This is the third time I've mentioned it (and I did so the first two times without prompting!)--can I get three entries? ;-)

Actually, though, I DO already have her book, Trying Neaira (but, see, then I could give a copy to a friend!). One of my profs mentioned it last semester, as I recall. But, alas, I've not had a chance to read it. :-/

But, actually, the main reason I wanted to post today was because of something that's come to my attention recently. This is really just of interest to the D.C. area folk, but the University of Maryland, College Park, is having Latin Day on November 1st. Registration ends October 11th, so you have a month to convince your school to go!

By the way, if any of you have any announcements of Classics-related events like the above, you can e-mail me, and I'll be happy to post them.

Shrew

Smithsonian Resident Association Program lectures

Well! I'll be damned! I forgot the SRA updates again. So here goes nothing:

TONIGHT: Roman Genius: Foundations of Empire with John P. Oleson (University of Victoria, Canada) and Kim J. Hartswick (George Washington University).

TOMORROW: Decoding Mycenaean Greek Heroic Culture with Thomas Palaima (University of Texas).

Monday, September 12: The Grandeur That Was--and Is--Rome (sold out) with Chef Savino Recine, Michele Scicolone, and Gail Forman. It's food--no wonder it's sold out!

Thursday, September 15: Medieval Italy—A Virtual Tour! with Alessandro Furlan of Altair4 Media in Rome.

Wednesday, September 21: Timeless Troy: A Virtual Tour! with Elizabeth Riorden (University of Cincinnati).

Saturday, September 24: The Splendor of Versailles with Anne-Marie Quette (Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris) and Philip Jacks (George Washington University). Related in the sense of the Classical tradition, anyway.

Saturday, September 24: The Golden Age of Venice with John Marciari (Yale University Art Gallery). Also related through the Classical tradition.

Hopefully, I'll remember those weekly reminders now...

Labor puellae cano.

Well, it's been another busy week. My schedule has finally settled down, and I believe my actual set of classes this semester will be Vergil's Aeneid, Petronius, second year Greek, Hellenistic history, a graduate level world mythology class, and 19th century fiction. I'm finding Vergil a bit easier to deal with now that we're using an actual Aeneid reader, rather than a mostly clean text of the Georgics. Perhaps I'll do better this semester. I've dumped the Early American history class, but I'm sure I'll be my usual obnoxious Classical self in 19th century fiction too. After all, the authors were all influenced by the Classics!

I was going to say that the last time I had this professor, I was not yet a Classics major, but I realised that even back then I spoke and wrote incessantly about the Classics. Oh well.

I've also spoken to one of my Classics professors about our MA program. I know it probably shouldn't be my first choice, but I wanted to apply to variety of programs. I also love our department, and it's actually affordable. But anyway, my professor has been an excellent help in suggesting schools and just in being encouraging. My biggest problem is that I started Latin and Greek late, but my prof assures me that my other studies are an asset. I really did need to hear that. Just knowing that somebody thinks it's possible makes the search so much easier. There have been times when my late start in Latin and Greek has almost paralysed me from trying to apply anywhere. I guess I'm still too self-conscious.

Anyway, this just came on the Classics-L list, a new production of Medea. I've still yet to see Medea live, and I wish I could go! Unfortunately, it is not to be.

Speaking of Greek tragedies, I've also just read this excellent article called "Prayer and Curse in Aeschylus' Seven Against Thebes" in Classical Philology 100 (2005): 101-22 by Eva Stehle. I saw it mentioned in rogueclassicism a couple months ago and have been meaning to read it. I can't help it--I love Greek tragedies! Anyway, it's an absolutely brilliant article, and I feel like pimping it today! So get your hands on it if you can!

Oh, and just because I like pimping Latin, go here and vote for Latin!

HBO's Rome ep 2

Firstly, I keep forgetting to mention that Perseus 4.0--Java-based--is up! I haven't really messed with it much myself, though.

Anyway, I just finished watching the second episode of Rome, and I'm excited! This show feels good. The pacing is good; it's entertaining, and I think it does a really great job giving a sense of Roman culture. It's not 100% accurate, but I cannot reiterate enough how this is the most accurate and well-researched show I've seen in a long time.

It's impressed me so much that I can mostly forgive it for its gratuitous sex scenes. Even those (and they're getting a little better being equal with male and female nudity) aren't entirely gratuitous, as the brothels were just as much a part of Roman culture as anything else.

Other details I liked were eating doormice, the surgery that Titus Pullo got done on his head, the exploration of male and female relationships (and I don't just mean Atia's sexual appetite), and exploring the plebs vs the nobility. I especially loved the scenes between Vorenus and his wife. They were rich with Roman culture and practices. What's more, these characters were alive. The entire show really makes the Romans alive. It's really those little details I enjoy--like the doormice and the dice games.

I think David Meadows did a wonderful job recapping and giving details, so I won't blather on any further.

Various and sundry

Well, I'm not going to be able to do a Rome update today--hopefully, tomorrow.

However, once again, David Meadows at rogueclassicim has provided a more than thorough review. You can find his initial thoughts here, along with followup I and followup II.

David Meadows also posted about Grabble, which is Greek Scrabble, and reminded us about Latin Scrabble (posted before the initiation of this blog) at Curculio.

I've been determined to do Latin Scrabble at some point, and now I must add Greek Scrabble to the list!

On a more serious note, a list of universities taking in students displaced by Katrina was posted at the Classics-L list earlier today and can be found here.

Anyway, I've been spending the day intermittently reading Latin and trying to get my internet working again. The later has been done (obviously), so I should probably continue with the former. With a little bit of luck (and the completion of my Latin homework tonight), I'll be posting my own review of Rome tomorrow night.

Yes, I AM an enabler of BOOKLUST!

This isn't really Classics related (although, you could certainly make it so), but I know a lot of students (and teachers who might want to pass this on to their students) are reading this blog. Borders has 20% off for students Sept 6-12. I don't think you really need the coupon (but you do need student ID), but it's better safe than sorry. So use it for your class books, if it's not too late, or just treat yourself to some fun. You can even get a head start on Buy a Friend a Book Week in October!

Of course, if you're anything like me, you might also use this as an opportunity to raid the Classical Studies, Ancient History, Mythology/Folklore and Medieval Studies sections of Borders.

I don't actually know if that coupon is limited to the U.S. Those of you in England, Australia and New Zealand (I think?) are welcome to try to use that discount at your local Borders, but I can't guarantee that it will work.

PSA and INTERACTIVE MAPS!

I'm fairly certain that everyone who reads this blog has probably seen this link somewhere already, but the Classics-L list has asked that this be spread: Tulane University's blog with storm updates.

On a much happier note, the list also provided a link for an interactive map of Rome. It's certainly spiffy, but methinks the Darkwing maps are more entertaining (direct link to the European maps). Then again, this may have more to do with my professor and his interactive sound effects when he shows us Alexander's march. It is my firm opinion that they should incorporate this into the actual map!

As for my classes--well, I've only been to my language classes so far. I'm getting that same "what have I just gotten myself into" feeling I've had the past couple semesters. Both semesters, I ended up just fine (well, in the very, very end, that is). But we're all rejoicing that I am not taking seven classes again. I may, however, be taking a mythology class (general, not classical), but I'm not entirely sure about that yet.