'Narcissus and the Happy Inch,' a Gender Studies Colloquium With Dave Fredrick

Photo Submitted

Dave Fredrick, associate professor of classics and digital humanities in the Department of World Languages, will present a Gender Studies Colloquium at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, on Roman art, Pompeii, and the history of sexuality and its relation to democracy titled: "Narcissus and the Happy Inch: Queering Social Reproduction in the Roman House."

Most Roman houses were intensely decorated — including mythological paintings. Surprisingly often, these paintings include figures that cross the boundaries of (modern, Western) gender and heteronormative sexuality. Who are these paintings for, and what do they mean? Aren't ancient Romans the model for conservative patriarchy and penetrative masculinity? Turns out that Rome is far more complicated. This presentation will explore how and why this matters for democracy now.

This illustrated talk will be 40-45 minutes in length, followed by Q&A. If you are interested in Roman art, Pompeii, the history of sexuality and its relation to democracy, this talk is for you! 

The colloquium is free and open to the public, will be followed by pizza at Tim's on the Fayetteville Square. 

Event Information

• Title: Narcissus and the Happy Inch: Queering Social Reproduction in the Roman House
• Presented by: Dave Fredrick, Classics & Digital Humanities (WLLC)
• Length: 40-45 minutes
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: JBHT 216

For more information, contact Dave Fredrick at dfredric@uark.edu.