Lessons From a Lost Republic and Writing about the Ancient World for the Public

Professor Michelle Berenfeld, Pitzer College 

Americans have been thinking about ancient Rome since the beginning. The US founders looked to Rome as a model, but also as a warning—they knew the Roman Republic collapsed into autocracy. Today, however, many Americans seem to think that autocracy—what we call the Roman Empire—is something to admire. In her new book, Lessons From A Lost Republic: What ancient Rome can teach us about this American Moment, Berenfeld offers a concise history of the Roman Republic’s collapse for a general audience and considers some unsettling parallels in our own politics. She will discuss the book, how her time at NYU (NYU ’94, ’97, ’02) contributed to it, and the process of adapting an academic career into a public-facing one. 

Location: 
West Basement Seminar Room
Institute of Fine Arts, New York University
1 East 78th Street

Advance registration is required. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the organizers at nyuniversitysas@gmail.com