Book Launch: Cambridge Companion to Classics and Race

Race as a concept has had a fraught role in the history of Classics, woven into its formation as an academic discipline. While the texts and artefacts of the ancient Mediterranean world provide complex understandings of what race might mean and how it might operate, they have also provided fodder for modern racial ideologies. This Companion offers a wide-ranging and groundbreaking overview of 'race' and 'racism' in ancient Mediterranean cultures as well as in the formation of Classics as a discipline. Through twenty-four chapters written by a team of international scholars, it clarifies the terms and concepts that are central to contemporary theories of race and explores the extent to which they can be applied to the study of the ancient Mediterranean world, in and beyond Greece and Rome. It also showcases various concrete examples of how Classics has been shaped by the intertwined histories of race and colonialism.

At this event we are delighted to be joined by Prof. Jo Quinn (University of Cambridge) and Dr Sam Agbamu (University of Reading) to give their responses to the book. This will be followed by Q&A with the editors - Dr Rosa Andújar (Barnard College, Columbia University), Dr Elena Giusti (St John's College Cambridge) and Dr Jackie Murray (SUNY Buffalo). There will be an opportunity afterwards to mingle and chat over complimentary refreshments.

Copies of the book will be available to purchase at a special event price

Estimated event timings

6.30pm - doors open

6.45pm - talk begins

7.15pm - Q&A

7.30pm - drinks and chat

Accessibility Information

Seating is available for 40 attendees (maximum) plus standing space. Some views may be partially obstructed by architectural columns, bookshelves, etc. but we aim to minimise this where possible. Space will be made available for wheelchair users. Access is via main entrance from street level and there are not steps or ledges.

There are 2 single-person bathrooms, including one large enough to fit a wheelchair with the door closed.

Please get in touch to reserve a seat, or if you have particular needs that you would like us to consider in advance.

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