Events Fall 08

Tue 14 October

19:00, G21:

Pier Luigi Tucci : “The Lost Libraries of Rome: Evidence on the Fire of 192 CE in a Rediscovered Work of Galen”

Thu 30 October

18:30, PV1:

Peter Probst (Hamburg University): “Promotion in the Roman army: facts and myths”

The Roman army was an instrument of military conquest and control. But it was also a political, social and cultural force. Through its presence in all provinces it was a motor of Romanization, and its integrative power was vital for the continued existence of so vast and diverse an empire. As a reward for service in the auxiliary troops, men of the conquered people gained the Roman citizenship and could rise in the empire’s hierarchy. But Roman legionaries too could hope for social and economical advancement, a relief to social unrest that should not be underestimated. But how realistic were the hopes of a young recruit dreaming to become a rich centurion? So far, research has been focusing on the much better documented commanders and higher ranking officers. Instead, historian Peter Probst investigates the career opportunities of ordinary soldiers and proposes answers to such open questions, some of which he will share with us in his talk.

Fri 31 October

Period 4 (13:35-15:05), G24:

Discuss with Peter Probst what it was like to build an empire from the point of view of the ordinary Roman soldier.

Tue 18 November (15:30 to 18:30):

Excursion: Walk through Roman Paris.

Please email jwildberger@aup.fr if you are interested in participating.

Fri 28 November

Period 5 (15:20-16:55), G21:

Peter Adamson (Kings College London): “Platonic Pleasures in Epicurus and al-Razi” [poster download]

The ethical works of the tenth-century doctor and philosopher Abu Bakr al-Razi discuss pleasure at some length. It has been argued that his theory of pleasure is indebted to Epicurus. Peter Adamson argues, instead, that his theory of pleasure comes from Plato, by way of Galen (and especially Galen's version of the Timaeus). According to the Platonic theory, pleasure is nothing but a replenishment of some deficiency: for instance, when we are thirsty, drinking is pleasant because of the quenching of thirst. This theory is close to the theory found in Epicurus, who carefully takes account of Plato's critique of hedonism when he is defending his own sophisticated hedonist position. The paper therefore discusses and differentiates the theories of pleasure taken up by Plato and Epicurus, before moving on to a discussion of al-Razi, to see who is more of an hedonist -- Plato or al-Razi?

This event is supported by the Senior Capstone: Ventures of Islam; the Philosophy Program; The Masters of Middle East and Islamic Studies.