Dr Mike Beer

Secret Siracusa, a journey through art and history: Caravaggio and the Greek theater in virtual reality "Secret Siracusa" arrives in Syracuse: a virtual reality experience between the Greek theater and Caravaggio. Art, history, and innovation for all visitors.

www.lamilano.it/en/syracuse/...

OU marking finished (at last!), although I have a 90 min online session to deliver on Sunday morning (music and protest in South Africa).But now, time to start on Latin textbook work.

People reoccupied Pompeii after Vesuvius eruption, archaeologists find Site director says ‘a kind of camp, a favela’ was founded in the ruins of city destroyed in AD79

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Homes of ‘working-class Romans’ discovered during Rome metro dig Experts say the relics at Piazza Venezia appear to resemble a multistorey complex of homes and shops

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Final evening in Cyprus.Tsunami of work and OU marking and teaching when I get back. It's been a nice but brief respite.

The temporary relocation of Dr Mike’s bar to Cyprus has involved the inclusion of the Brandy Sour on the menu. Definitely recommended but certainly not a breakfast beverage.

Just finished this. Loved it and will be recommending it for my students who are studying the late Roman republic. Hope it gets the wider a readership it deserves.

Unfortunately,still too warm for tweed, although temperature has dropped to a postively wintery 29 degrees.

Spanish discovery suggests Roman era ‘church’ may have been a synagogue Oil lamp fragments point to presence of previously unknown Jewish population in Ibero-Roman town of Cástulo

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

You were right to do so.

Alas, Cypriot heatwave has involved difficult sartorial decisions and the necessary abandonment of usual forms of attire.

Off duty Classicist considering whether to visit an archaeological site or not.

London is getting a new museum all about brutalist architecture The museum will be housed in one of the UK’s last brutalist school buildings.

www.timeout.com/london/news/...

Gaps in what we know about ancient Romans could be filled by AI A new system fills in missing words from ancient inscriptions carved on monuments and everyday objects.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Amadeus review – F Murray Abraham mesmerises as Mozart’s lizardly frenemy in Miloš Forman’s masterpiece Abraham’s gorgeous villainy as the bland court composer eclipsed by Tom Hulce’s nitrogen-voiced genius Mozart is a treat

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...

The eastern Mediterranean awaits.

Sorting out holiday reading. Alas, no Dan Brown.

An afternoon of Brutalist architecture and gin awaits.

en.protothema.gr/2025/07/17/a...

Last day of term and final excruciatingly slow commute for a month. Today’s commute viewing: Pink Floyd at Pompeii MCMLXXII.

That brown shirt and flared yellow suit combo might just be my summer look. Perhaps less ĥair though.

Morning.

Goodnight.

More peak teaching from four years ago.

Summer school talk finished! Just need to put the PowerPoint together for it. It has the lot: hangovers, slaughterhouses, sacred otters, gender fluidity, bees, Atargatis and metempsychosis.

Social media reminding me of a peak teaching moment:
Just putting the finishing touches to an upcoming OU day school session, featuring an eclectic mix of characters: Schopenhauer, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Harold Wilson, Lady Gaga, Reginald Perrin and dubbed late 70s Japanese BBC import ‘Monkey’.

Duos gibbos retortos in lance argentea sibi sinapi perfusos exhibuit eosdemque statim promovit ac ditavit.
He displayed two misshapen hunchbacks on a silver platter after smearing them with mustard, and then straightway advanced and enriched them.
Life of Commodus 11.2 SHA

Yes,a good session.

Enjoyed your CA paper yesterday. I was attending remotely.

Italy's sunken city returning from the sea A volcanic eruption sank Aenaria nearly 2,000 years ago. Now, underwater tours and ongoing excavations are bringing Ischia's fascinating history back to the surface.

www.bbc.co.uk/travel/artic...

Genuine grovelling or just paid to do so?