A family matter? Two historians, Mary Beard and Raphael Cormack, happen to be mother and son. Join them for an extraordinary exploration of their recent books — but also questions of why history is important and how you get into it.
In Holy Men of the Electromagnetic Age, Raphael Cormack looks at the golden age of the occult between the world wars. Spiritualists, clairvoyants, and mystics were everywhere claiming that unseen forces shaped human potential. What was their appeal? And is there connection between their influence and the appeal of the unknown in today’s uncertain world?
Emperor of Rome is not your usual chronological account of Roman rulers, the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Mary Beard asks bigger questions: Was the Roman palace really so bloodstained? What was it like to rule and be ruled in the Ancient Roman world? Does Rome have any lessons for modern politics?
Come and get a glimpse of what two historians discuss round the kitchen table, ably moderated by Roy Gibson, a friend and colleague of both.
Chaired by Professor Roy Gibson
Tickets £12/£10
On Emperor Of Rome – “Extraordinary … a deliciously varied tapestry of detail drawn from across nearly three centuries” – Telegraph
On Holy Men – “Extraordinary. A delightfully engaging and highly original chronicle of our willingness to believe six impossible things before breakfast.” – Alberto Manguel, author of A History of Reading
History Sponsor:
Booking Information
