“…I have thought hard about that view of autocracy as fundamentally a fake, sham, a distorting mirror. It has helped me to understand ancient Roman political culture better - and has opened my own eyes to the politics of the modern world too.” ~ Mary Beard

“I am more interested in how those stories of madness arose, in how the business of empire was really conducted, and in Roman fears that the rule of the emperors was not so much bloodstained (they expected that), but was a strange and unsettling dystopia built on deception and fakery.” ~ Mary Beard

“There are fewer psychopaths in Emperor of Rome than you might expect from the movie image of imperial Rome. This is not to deny that the Roman world was, in our terms, an almost unimaginably cruel place of premature death…” ~ Mary Beard

“It is an uncomfortable fact that, throughout history, autocracy- tyranny, dictatorship or whatever we call it - has depended on people at all levels who accept it, who adjust to it, or even find it a comfortable system under which to live…” ~ Mary Beard

I’m just about finished this great (and timely) exploration of all things (including downfalls) of the Roman Emperors by Mary Beard. Not chronological but chapters grouped by different categories very effectively - with her trademark wit and abundance of historical narratives it is fascinating read

“No beards without dresses; no dresses without beards.” 🌈❤️🧙‍♂️ ~ Sylvan

“This is not just how authoritarianism happens. This is authoritarianism happening.”

“The 2026 midterms are 14 months away. The machinery of the state is being organized to entrench Republican power through redistricting, to control information, to punish and harass enemies, to create a masked paramilitary force roaming the streets and carrying out Trump’s commands.”

Oh no! Hope you are okay!!! (((healing healing healing)))

These works reexamine gender and art histories found in the fragments of history and consider the role of the artist navigating the tensions of societies under duress. This collection of fiber art sculptures embody protective talismans as structures of support for community-engaged rebuilding.

“Gun Violence 2023 in U.S. someone was killed by a gun every 11 minutes…” 💔

These memorial garments have been worn in direct actions and memorial vigils, featured in art exhibitions, and include the names of a small representation of those killed by guns in the US in one year.