Description

"How modern was ancient Rome really? This is a question that has led to fierce debates among scholars for more than a century. This is quite understandable: Rome does not fit very well into our historical frameworks.

Indeed, on the one hand, Rome is in many ways a typical pre-industrial society that relied on primitive, labour-intensive technologies (and slavery); on the other hand, you see in the Roman world a unique material prosperity and an unprecedented economic integration. Rome occupies a unique place, but which one?

Archaeological remains have played an increasing role in scientific discussions in recent years. The large scale and rationalisation of some workshops and production facilities seem to indicate spectacular developments in the structure of the Roman economy that have no parallel before the Industrial Revolution. Are we seeing a kind of proto-industrialisation here?

In this lecture, I will argue that this is only partly the case, and that the unique material of the Roman world especially compels us to take another critical look at our own modern view of past and present. In this way, ancient Rome can still tell us something about today's world."

18.00-19.00 - Walk-in and drinks
19.00-20.00 - Dinner and coffee
20.00-22.00 - Lecture and discussion
22.00 - Progress discussion at the bar

Speaker(s)

Dr.Miko Flohr, Researcher, Institute of History, Leiden University

Location

Grand-Cafe Restaurant Engels

Rotterdam (right next to Rotterdam C.S.)

Organiser

Circle Rotterdam