3. Lucretia and the politics of sexual violence
Third lecture of Professor Dame Mary Beard's Gifford Lecture series
Event details
Date: Thursday 9 May 2019, 5.30 - 6.30pm
The lecture may be followed by questions. Latest finishing time is 7pm.
Venue: The Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH
Lecture abstract
In ancient Rome political change was regularly tied to sexual violence (the Rape of the Sabines, the Rape of Lucretia, the murder of Virginia).
How do we make sense of this? The lecture argues that the Romans themselves discussed these (mythical) incidents much more subtly than we often give them credit for, and that the Rape of Lucretia in particular has for 2000 years raised important questions about power, responsibility and consent.