Thursday, November 17, 2016

Social 6 pm, Awards 6:30 pm, Lecture 7 pm

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Cartwright Center, Port O'Call

Understanding the daily lives of ordinary people in ancient times is a challenge for historians and archaeologists—especially when the subject is infants and children. The Romans opened a special window into the lives of these little ones by leaving information literally chiseled in stone. Ironically, most of what we know about the lives of Roman children—especially those of the lower classes—comes from funerary engravings, or epitaphs. Dr. Nicholas Gresens, Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Rochester–New York, will discuss the fascinating world of Roman epitaphs, comparing those of children and adults, and those of lower-class children and their wealthier peers, to explore how childhood was constructed and perceived in ancient times.  E-mail mvac@uwlax.edu for more information.