People watching television and going to the movies can’t seem to get
enough of stories – true and otherwise – that focus on the lives of the
superrich and the celebrities of the hour. Be these regional oligarchs,
virtual reality “stars” or characters in contemporary literature,
ostentatious wealth gained in questionable ways and then displayed
lavishly in poor taste always seems to attract envious attention. Such
patterns of conspicuous consumption are, of course, not new in human
societies. Elites and their imitators have been doing this since
societies have become more complex in their social and economic
structures.
On Wednesday, February 10
th at 19:30 in the Library of the
Institute Professor Brendan Burke (Department of Greek and Roman
Studies, University of Victoria, BC) will give a lecture,
“Myths of Wealth in the Ancient World: Ex Oriente Lux”, that will explore the nature of wealth in the ancient world.
Many foreigners, according to Greek sources, had a reputation for
astronomical wealth: Priam, Midas, Croesus, Maussolos are just a few.
Legends surrounding these individuals were a great source of
fascination. What is often surprising to modern audiences, however, is
that most of these figures from Greek and Roman legend were powerful,
historical rulers. It is also often assumed that incredible wealth was
in some ways corrupting or debilitating to those who held it. Prof.
Burke’s lecture will examine these stories and look at the
archaeological evidence for such fabulous wealth in order to distinguish
myth from history.
Is truth stranger than fiction? Is it a curse to be wealthy beyond
your wildest dreams? Come to the lecture find out the answers to these
perennial questions and more!
Cordially,
David Rupp
Director
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