Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Internationally-bestselling author and renowned classicist Mary Beard joins us for a conversation with classisist James Romm about our fascination with the ancient world — and her new book, Talking Classics.
From her hit BBC series to her canonical books about ancient Rome, Mary Beard has become one of the world’s most beloved historians — bringing the ancient world into vivid relief for a generation. But why does the ancient world exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations? Inspired by a formative childhood encounter with a 4,000-year-old piece of bread in a museum, Mary Beard’s Talking Classics takes us to the root of her love of history: a funny, brilliant meditation on the intimate, messy, and humdrum evidence of daily life in the remote past.
In a celebration of the book’s launch, hear one of the world’s most entertaining classicists discuss the uncanny “shock of the old” — bringing new wonder and curiosity to the most ancient of ideas.
Recorded May 13, 2026 at The 92nd Street Y, New York.
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Internationally-bestselling author and renowned classicist Mary Beard joins us for a conversation with classisist James Romm about our fascination with the ancient world — and her new book, Talking Classics.
From her hit BBC series to her canonical books about ancient Rome, Mary Beard has become one of the world’s most beloved historians — bringing the ancient world into vivid relief for a generation. But why does the ancient world exert such a powerful hold on our imaginations? Inspired by a formative childhood encounter with a 4,000-year-old piece of bread in a museum, Mary Beard’s Talking Classics takes us to the root of her love of history: a funny, brilliant meditation on the intimate, messy, and humdrum evidence of daily life in the remote past.
In a celebration of the book’s launch, hear one of the world’s most entertaining classicists discuss the uncanny “shock of the old” — bringing new wonder and curiosity to the most ancient of ideas.
Recorded May 13, 2026 at The 92nd Street Y, New York.
Your support helps us continue creating online content for our community. Donate now: 92NY.org/Donate
Facebook: facebook.com/92ndStreetY
Instagram: Instagram.com/92ndStreetY
TikTok: tiktok.com/@92ndstreety
Archives: 92ny.org/archives
