History

History

Women in Diogenes Laertius’ Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, part 3

Diogenes Laertius’s main intention was to write biographies of male philosophers[1]. However, his writings also reveal, sometimes unintentionally, women’s roles and attitudes to women in ancient times. His anecdotes and longer exploratory writing include references to wives, daughters, slaves and courtesans. He quoted from wills and letters, and also from hearsay. The general themes include misogyny, as explored in part 2, but he also gave examples of respectful behavior towards… Read more

History

The Punic Wars Part II | From A (Alps) to Z (Zama)

The second great conflict between Rome and Carthage is the most well-known because of the famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca. While this war, like the first Punic War, ended in victory for Rome, it is Hannibal and his elephants, crossing the Alps into Italy, which has captured people’s imaginations. After the end of the first Punic War, and after defeating the rebellious (and unpaid) mercenaries in Carthage, Hamilcar, father of… Read more

History

Women in Diogenes Laertius’ Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, part 2

Study of Diogenes Laertius’ Lives of the Eminent Philosophers[1] gives us tantalizing snippets of information about women of whom we might never have heard. He tells us of nameless women, wives, daughters and courtesans. He wrote, for example, that Timon had a wife and son, but we are told nothing about them. Eudoxus had three daughters, but we are told only their names, Actis, Philtis and Delphis. In the first… Read more

History

Women in Diogenes Laertius’ Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, part 1

Diogenes Laertius Diogenes Laertius wrote in Greek in Anatolia in the third century CE. The piece of writing that has survived to this day is his Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, which is a compilation of biographies. He described philosophical thought, and gave biographical details, genealogies, and quotes from letters and wills. He gives us anecdotes, and he wrote his own poetry about his subjects. Wikipedia reports that he has… Read more

History,  Visiting Scholars

Open House | The End of the Histories, with Scarlett Kingsley and Timothy Rood

We were excited to welcome Scarlett Kingsley and Timothy Rood for an Open House entitled “The End of the Histories.” The event took place on Friday, March 19 at 11:00 a.m. EDT and was recorded. To get ready for the event, you might like to read these handouts: Bolingbroke On Luxury (PDF) Kosmos Society Readings (PDF) You can watch the recording on our YouTube channel, or in the frame below.… Read more