How Did the Greeks and Romans Seize the Day?

“Carpe diem”, often translated as “seize the day”, is one of the most recognisable Latin phrases: in our day it is a popular slogan on T-shirts, and millions know the words through the movie Dead Poets Society. But how did the ancients seize the day? What pleasures made life worth living for them?

Join Robert Rohland for this lunchtime talk and take a look at some spectacular artefacts from the ancient world, which can tell us how people enjoyed life: gaze at intricate mosaics of skeletons holding wine vessels, look at the splendour of gems and cups that feature tiny images and inscriptions about the pleasures of life, and listen to the oldest song that survives from Greece and tells listeners to enjoy themselves.

This event is part of Cambridge Festival.

• Room 1.02 is on the first floor of the Faculty of Classics.
• We provide step-free access via our lift. To use the lift please ask at the reception on the ground floor of the Faculty of Classics.
• This event is seated.
• There is space for wheelchair users (please book a wheelchair accessible ticket)
• An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.
• Light levels will be appropriate for the use of PowerPoint.
• There is no hearing loop.
• Find out more about Faculty and Museum Access.
• Please contact us on 01223 330402 or email museum@classics.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions or concerns about accessibility.

Image: Skeleton mosaic, Antakaya Archaeology Museum. Dosseman, licenced by CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Who: Adults

£££: Free

Booking: Essential