
Optional Book

Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old
By Mary Beard
About the Event:
International bestselling author Mary Beard is back — and she’s talking all things classics. This time, she’s not so interested in the canonical "greats" of ancient literature and art, but rather the intimate, messy, and minute evidence of daily life in antiquity. Beard argues one of the most important things the classics teach us is how to grapple with complicated and controversial things. And since classics don’t belong to anyone, they can serve as a neutral space for us to argue about the most difficult debates we face now. Join us as Beard brings new wonder, curiosity, and relatability to even the most ancient of ideas.
- We are pleased to partner with the Seminary Co-op Bookstores, the country’s first not-for-profit bookstore.
- Pre-order Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old through the Chicago Humanities Box Office and save up to 20% while supporting local, independent bookselling. Add books to your cart when adding tickets. Your receipt will contain a book voucher, which you show to the bookseller on-site to pick up your book(s).
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Mary Beard
Mary Beard is a distinguished classicist, international bestselling author, and beloved television personality. She is professor e...
