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Call for Papers

Exemplary Representation(s) of the Past:

New Readings of Valerius Maximus’ Facta et dicta memorabilia

The last thirty years have seen an increase in interest in Valerius Maximus and his Facta et dicta memorabilia. Willing to consider Valerius’ collection of historical exempla as a piece of literature in its own right, scholars have started to scrutinise its moral, social, and intellectual significance at the time of the early Roman Empire and beyond.

In light of this development, the research group ‘Im Spiegel der Republik: Valerius Maximus’ Facta et dicta memorabilia’ (https://valmax.hypotheses.org/), located at the University of Fribourg and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, is pleased to announce the international conference ‘Exemplary Representation(s) of the Past: New Readings of Valerius Maximus’ Facta et dicta memorabilia’, which will be held (in hybrid mode) in Fribourg, Switzerland, on 15-17 December 2022.

The conference seeks to explore new perspectives on Valerius and his work. We therefore welcome expressions of interest for research papers on any aspect of the Facta et dicta memorabilia as well as its reception. Contributions may focus either on specific passages (e.g. individual chapters or sequences of exempla) or on the work as a whole, and could, for instance, provide new insights into Valerius’ literary approach, his representation(s) of Rome’s past, or his wider socio-ethical and intellectual significance.

Among the already confirmed speakers at the conference are the three external partners of the Fribourg research project, namely Prof. Rebecca Langlands (University of Exeter), Prof. Matthew B. Roller (Johns Hopkins University), and Prof. David Wardle (University of Cape Town).

The conference language is English. The publication of a proceedings volume is intended.

Please submit titles of proposed papers together with abstracts of no more than 300 words to Tanja Itgenshorst (tanja.itgenshorst@unifr.ch) by Monday, 28 February 2022. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could indicate whether you would be willing to attend the conference in person (if travel restrictions permit). You will be notified of the outcome of your submission by mid-March 2022. Invited participants who decide to attend the conference in person will be reimbursed for their travel and accommodation expenses.

We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Kind regards,

Tanja Itgenshorst (on behalf of the entire team)

Université de Fribourg

Institut für Antike und Byzanz

Rue Pierre-Aeby 16

CH-1700 Fribourg