Aeschines Against Ctesiphon or how to lose an Athenian court case
By Riccarda Schmid, University of Zurich
Demosthenes' speech On the Crown is by far the most famous and widely studied Athenian court speech. But its counterpart, Aeschines' prosecution speech Against Ctesiphon has received much less attention. A detailed English commentary was last written by Richardson in 1889. Modern volumes often discuss Against Ctesiphon only as a necessary but brief introductory chapter to the study of Demosthenes' On the Crown (e.g. Ochs 2016).
Uncertainty and Narrative Political History
By Scott Arcenas, University of Montana
Uncertainty is one of the greatest methodological challenges facing scholars of the ancient world. Despite this undeniable fact, however, efforts to address the challenge systematically have been rare (Jew and Lavan). To the extent that ancient historians have focused on the problem of uncertainty, they have tended to operate on a macro scale and have overwhelmingly considered quantitative questions (Garnsey; Hopkins; Scheidel and Friesen; Lavan; Lavan, Jew, and Danon).
The Unusual Assassination of Milonia Caesonia
By Nathaniel Katz, University of Texas at Austin
Josephus describes how Milonia Caesonia was assassinated along with her daughter and on the same day as her husband, Caligula (Jos. AJ 19.190-200, cf. Dio 59.29.7; Suet. Cal. 59). This paper refines our understanding of Josephus’ technique and the interregnum he describes by reading his description of Caesonia’s death as an allusion to Calpurnia’s reaction to the death of her husband, Caesar.
What Did the Censors Ask Pompey? Plutarch and the Recognitio Equitum of 70 BCE
By Noah Segal, University of Minnesota
Plutarch twice (Pomp. §22 & Mor. 204A) mentions Pompey’s participation in the recognitio equitum (review of cavalry) in 70 BCE; he calls it the “most pleasing” spectacle of Pompey’s first consulship. His vivid account has been important for scholars interested in Pompey’s career and self-presentation, and – since Plutarch’s mention is one of only a few references to the recognitio in our surviving sources – it has been influential for understandings of the ritual and its functioning more broadly (e.g., Seager 2002[1979]; Scullard 1981; Luke 2014).