This year we are pleased to offer a mix of on-site presentations and “remote” visits: a virtual “in-person” presentation or a pre-recorded presentation tailored to your group.

To order a presentation use the online form.

Featured: Presentations suitable for STEM Classes (and everyone else!)

PLAGUES AND PANDEMICS [our most popular presentation!]
In-person or virtual
Michelle Lessard, Sydney Kennedy or Alex Bullock, PhD Students
We are currently living in a global pandemic, but pandemics are nothing new. This presentation explores the evidence for ancient diseases and how people responded to them. We will look at the descriptions of pandemics written by eyewitnesses and compare them to osteoarcheological remains (ancient skeletons!) to see how scholars can study the effects of pandemics within different societies.

HOW ERATOSTHENES MEASURED THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE EARTH
In-person or virtual
Michelle Lessard, PhD Student
How do you measure the size of Earth without satellite technology or circling the globe yourself? More than 2,200 years ago, the philosopher/scientist Eratosthenes did just that. This presentation discusses Eratosthenes' method of calculation of Earth's circumference as well as his life and times, and students will gain not only insight into Eratosthenes' discovery but also the scientific and mathematical developments connected to the famed Library of Alexandria. Versions of this presentation geared to either middle or high school audiences are available.

ANCIENT GREEK MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS
In-person or virtual
Michelle Lessard, PhD Student
Ancient Greek doctors had some unusual ideas about how the body functioned. In the Hippocratic corpus, a series of medical treatises from the 4th and 5th centuries BCE, some doctors used analogies and experiments to support their theories and reveal the mysterious inner workings of the body. In this presentation, we will explore some of the notable experiments from these texts and consider what these experiments tell us about Greek medicine and the development of scientific thought.

ANCIENT STORIES IN THE STARS
In-person or virtual
Luiza dos Santos Souza, PhD Student
Human curiosity about the stars has existed for a very long time. The era of space exploration--the race to the Moon, sci-fi series, and the search for life on Mars--in fact, started millennia ago with the attentive observation of the heavenly bodies. Many stories from Greek Mythology deal with the existence of constellations which frequently memorialize heroes, heroines, and creatures in the sky. In this presentation we will discuss some of these stories, learn about the Zodiac constellations and the movements of the stars, and explore how the setting and rising of some stars was essential to the daily lives of the Ancient Greeks, from farming to sea voyages.

Featured: Presentations suitable for Civics or History Classes (and everyone else!)

POMPEII: LIFE FROM THE ASHES
In-person or virtual
Michelle Lessard, Ph.D. Student
Walk with ancient Romans! This presentation will take students on a behind-the-scenes tour of Pompeii, a Roman city buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Tour stops will include the town forum, an elite house, a “fast food joint,” the theatre district, the amphitheater, and the cemeteries outside the city walls. And did you know that Cincinnati has been digging up Pompeii for over a decade? In fact it’s the largest area of Pompeii to be excavated in the past 200 years! We’ll show you what we’ve been discovering and learning about an entire neighborhood of the city. This presentation can be modified to include more on volcanology.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: MAN OF GLORY
In-person or virtual
Tiziano Boggio, Ph.D. Student
He was tutored by the great philosopher Aristotle. He won his first battle at age 18 and became king at 20. He attacked and conquered the greatest empire known to ancient Greeks. He reached the borders of India with his army. All this before dying suddenly and mysteriously when only 33 years old. This and more is what made Alexander of Macedon one of the most famous characters in history. His life and deeds were recorded by Greek and Roman historians, and entered the tradition of many other people. Let’s embark on a trip to discover more about a man who single-handedly changed the course of history, and marked the beginning of a new era for the Greek world. We will learn more about his conquest of the East and the effects that this had. On the road, we will uncover some of the mysteries of this “Great” leader, while also observing what we still have in common with Alexander himself.

MASSACRE IN THE WOODLANDS: A 2000 YEAR OLD ROMAN COLD CASE
In-person or virtual
Alessandro Battaglia, Ph.D. Student
In the Summer of 9 AD, three Roman legions marching into the German woodlands were ambushed by German warriors and slaughtered almost to a man. The Romans lost up to 20,000 men in one of their most dramatic defeats, stopping any further Roman expansion into Germany. For centuries archaeologists and historians looked for the battle site identified with the battle of Teutoburg, looking into the Roman historians' accounts to find a suitable location. Finally, the combined efforts of archaeologists and historians yielded a possible site in the late 80's: the hill of Kalkriese. Together, we will investigate the battlefield at Kalkriese and the history of its discovery. Together, we will decide whether this archaeological site in the woodlands of Northern Germany fits the profile of the battle of Teutoburg. In our in-depth investigation, we will examine the weapons, tools, and everyday objects of both Romans and Germans, and see what the battlefield at Kalkriese can tell us about the battle that took place there 2000 years ago. 

THE ROMAN ARMY: THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU THE ROMAN EMPIRE
In-person or virtual
Alessandro Battaglia, Ph.D. Student
Everyone knows the Roman army was a powerful military force, but did you know it did much more than fight wars? It developed the road network that tied the empire together, brought men from around the Mediterranean to defend the borders, and took Rome from a village on the banks of a modest Italian river to unrivaled mastery. Along the way, it brought fame and power to Cincinnatus, Julius Caesar, and Constantine—to name just a few! This talk will explore the life and times of the Roman army—how it fought, what it looked like, and what its soldiers were up to when they weren’t at war. You’ll get a sense of the wealth of surviving evidence: from literature and fine sculpture to the letters soldiers wrote, the shoes they wore, and the tombstones they designed for themselves.

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!: A DAY AT THE GLADIATORIAL GAMES
In-person or virtual
Luiza dos Santos Souza or Haley Bertram, Ph.D. Students
We’ve all seen Hollywood’s depictions of gladiatorial combat, but what was a day at the games really like? Through the eyes of the Roman citizen Marcus, you’ll experience the full program of events at the spectacle that defined the Roman Empire and literally set the stage for many of today’s entertainments, including mixed-martial arts events and Spanish bullfights. Enjoy the history of the Colosseum, the greatest amphitheater of the Roman world, and watch as the action pits man against beast in the venationes. Hear about the training of the fighters, learn to tell the difference between types of gladiators based on their armor, and cheer on your favorite fighter in a final battle as an experienced retiarius attempts to win his freedom. Finally, exiting the amphitheater, you will discover the true meaning of what the Romans referred to as a vomitorium!

THE ORIGINAL DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS: CONSTITUTIONS OF ANCIENT ATHENS AND ROME
In-Person
Patrick O’Callahan, Ph.D. student
We often hear about how much our American system of government owes to Greece and Rome, but what were the realities of the Athenian and Roman constitutions that inspired America's Founding Fathers? This presentation will explore where our principles of democracy come from, what the Roman Senate looked like, and how checks and balances worked in ancient constitutions. But it will also cover some of the stark differences between the ancient world and the modern, like the Athenian practice of exiling politicians who got too popular, or the Roman ability to legally replace their government with a dictator--but only for six months!

DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE EYES OF A WOMAN: ASPASIA IN ANCIENT ATHENS [Now with Classical music!]
In-person or virtual
Cecilia Cozzi, Ph.D. student
We take democracy for granted today, but we do not often realize that it was first born as a groundbreaking experiment in ancient Greece! More than two thousand years ago Athens, Greece witnessed the birth of a new society, where freedom of speech and equality before the law were more important than noble ancestry and wealth—at least for some. Notably, the first democracy did not allow women, slaves, or foreigners living in Athens to vote. We will venture through the streets of this colorful and dynamic city with a special companion, Aspasia, guiding us. Aspasia is a real historical figure, born in what is now Turkey. As a woman and a foreigner, she challenges the narrow minds of the all-male democratic government. Through her eyes we will witness the power of freedom of speech through the subtle political criticism of ancient Greek plays and through sparkling debates with exceptional personalities, such as Socrates. Join this amazing journey back in time: we will explore Aspasia's challenges and emotions through words and music, performed for the occasion by our own Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. If there is more to Classical Athens than its immaculate white marbles, music will be the best medium to evoke the different feelings Aspasia experienced during her adventurous life.

THE WORLD OF WOMEN IN HOMER’S ODYSSEY [Now with Classical music!]
In-person or virtual
Cecilia Cozzi, Ph.D. Student
Homer’s Odyssey has fascinated audiences for thousands of years thanks to the incredible and captivating adventures of its main character, Odysseus. But Homer’s world is populated with fascinating women at every stage of the hero’s troubled journey. This presentation will take us into the world of four mythological women, all different from one another, yet all crucial to Odysseus’ tale: Calypso, the powerful, loving nymph; Nausicaa, a young girl growing up; Circe, the enigmatic witch; and Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, his perfect match in skill and cunning. Together we will explore the world of these mythological women and their differences. We will also combine each woman to a specific score the talented musicians of our Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will provide us. These four pieces will better capture their emotions during Odysseus' quest, as we turn the spotlight from the hero to their female companions. (This presentation can be tailored to coincide with a unit on the Homeric poems or so that outside knowledge of the Odyssey is not necessary.)

PASSION, MADNESS AND LOVE: WOMEN IN ANCIENT MYTH [Now with Classical music]
In-person or virtual
Cecilia Cozzi, Ph.D. Student
Adaptable for modules on women in the Iliad and Aeneid 
We usually associate Greek mythology with heroes, such as Achilles, Jason, or Hercules. What about the women? Greek society often left them in the background, as secondary characters in the male sagas. Mythology, however, is a different story. Women in myth are active and resolute: they are no longer wives and daughters happy to live quietly inside the house. Through this presentation, we will focus on women whose strong agency and determination still fascinates us. Together we will explore the stories of tragic characters (such as Medea and Phaedra), and the volition of young women (as Antigone and Electra). We can also look at the Trojan War from the perspective of all the women it affected. Helen and Clytemnestra are not so different from Hecuba, Andromache and Cassandra: beyond their status, they are all reacting to the same chain of destruction. The performance of evocative scores by our Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will help us appreciate the different emotions animating each character. 

LOVE, TRUTH AND MADNESS: THE TRAGIC LIFE OF HERACLES [New and with Classical music]
In-person or virtual
Cecilia Cozzi, Ph.D. Student
Adaptable for modules on the hero and his journey
When we think of Greek tragedy, the name of Oedipus easily comes to mind. Tragedy, however, is much more than the iconic downfall of the Theban king we all know (and love!) thanks to Sophocles. The genre encompasses many other plays which have often been unfairly overlooked, but it is up to us to change this perception! Today, we will focus on another masterpiece, Sophocles’ Trachiniae. The drama does not revolve around a tragic hero, but rather on the friction between two very different characters: Heracles and Deianira. Heracles and Deianira are husband and wife, but they could not be more different. Heracles is a man of excesses and strong appetites, whereas Deianira is a devoted woman patiently waiting for him to come home. In the end, both of them will become victims of their raw emotions and realize the extent of their mistakes, as it happens to people all the time. We will conclude with a clip of Puccini’s beloved opera, Tosca. The performance by the Cincinnati Opera and the CSO, will make us realize how different characters are dealing with the same, tragic dilemmas we are all facing in our lives. 

HEROES: FATHERS AND SONS
In-person or virtual
Cecilia Cozzi, Ph.D. student
Adaptable for modules on the Iliad or the Odyssey
Greek mythology features a gallery of “heroes.” When we think of heroes, we imagine individuals selflessly devoted to protect humanity against its bitter enemies. Ancient heroes are different: they are ambitious men, eager to prove their worth by embarking on adventurous quests. Each hero starts as someone’s son, but he quickly needs to forge his own path and reinforce the good name of his family. The challenge is huge and appears often in Greek myth. We will take you to the Iliad and the Odyssey and we will focus on the stories of ancient heroes you are most interested in: Ajax, Achilles, Agamemnon, but also Odysseus, Aeneas and Hector. Despite their differences, they are all left with the same dilemma: looking to their noble past but also glancing towards their unknown future.

MAGIC AND MALICE: WITCHES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
In-person or virtual
Kelsey Schalo, Ph.D. student
The literary ancient witch was one of monstrous and malicious intent. From roaming graveyards to slaughtering children for love potions, the ancient witch struck fear into the hearts of men, and their horrific descriptions challenged even the most horrific of monsters. Yet, the majority of real-life 'spell-casters' were men. Why this fear? Why women? In this presentation, we will explore the terror and hatred that fueled descriptions of the ancient witch, and examine the divine power that rivals even the gods. Note: contains graphic descriptions but is available in a PG version.

DIGGING UP HOMER
In-person or virtual
Maura Brennan, Ph.D. Student
Did the Trojan War really happen? This presentation is designed to give the audience an introduction to the archaeological evidence for one of the most gripping stories of the ancient world, Homer’s Iliad. Discussion focuses on archaeological excavations at Bronze Age palaces in Greece including those of Agamemnon and Nestor at Mycenae and Pylos, and from the citadel at Troy. Different forms of archaeological evidence including ceramics, fortifications, weapons, wall paintings, bones, and bathtubs paint a varied and dynamic picture of an ancient way of life. But is this enough to prove Homer’s tale? To answer this tantalizing question, this presentation looks at the problems involved when Homer and archaeology are brought together and what archaeologists are doing to figure out the best ways to determine if “X” truly marks the spot.

WHAT DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS DO, ANYWAY?
In-person or virtual
Rebecca Kerns, Ph.D. Student
This presentation explores the work of archaeologists and our place in society. The word “archaeologist” usually brings up images of Indiana Jones, treasure-hunting, or reanimated mummies. Real archaeology is not usually so Hollywood-friendly, but the field is full of both dangers and rewards. We will first discuss the goals of archaeology and how this discipline has contributed to our understanding of human history. We will then consider exactly what archaeologists do, including excavation, laboratory work, and experiments. We will look at a typical day on an excavation, including work, meals, accommodations, and recreation. Finally we will explore the role of archaeologists as advocates for the protection of our past.

CINCINNATI IN THE AEGEAN: GREEK ARTIFACTS IN CINCINNATI
Virtual only
Christine Weber or Jacob Engstrom, Ph.D. Students
Did you know that archaeologists from Cincinnati have been digging in the lands around the Mediterranean since the 1920s? Using objects from the departmental Classics Study Collection, this talk presents the history of Greek archaeology at the University of Cincinnati. In particular, the great characters of Cincinnati Classical archaeology - Carl Blegen, Jack Caskey, Marion Rawson - and their amazing discoveries about the prehistory of the Aegean Sea region are presented alongside some of the objects found on their digs. Together with these pioneers, we will explore the sites at Troy, Pylos and many others.

SHERD NERDS: HOW BROKEN POTS TEACH US ABOUT ANCIENT LIFE
In-person or virtual
Maura Brennan or Callie Todhunter, Ph.D. Students
When you open your kitchen cupboard, what do you see? What would an archaeologist find 2000 years in the future? The majority of artifacts that archaeologists discover are broken pieces of cups and bowls, just like the ones in your cupboards. But how do archaeologists study these broken pieces? Together, we will learn how ancient Greeks and Romans made, moved, and used pottery. We will discuss how archaeologists dig up this material, study it, and use it to learn about various aspects of the ancient world, from trade routes to how people ate and drank. Find out what pottery can tell us about people who lived 2000 years ago!