Intelligence Squared Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins on how antiquity shapes the modern world (Part Two)
Aug 26, 2025
Mary Beard, a distinguished classicist from Cambridge, and Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer at the Guardian, dive into how ancient cultures shape today's society. They discuss how the Romans have historically been used as political symbols and the biases in interpreting figures like Nero. Exploring ancient literature, they highlight its timeless relevance and predict how contemporary society will be seen by future generations. They also reflect on women's equality through the lens of history, urging listeners to advocate for continued progress.
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Stories Reveal Cultural Fear Of Power
- Stories about emperors like Nero reveal cultural fears about power rather than literal truth.
- Mary Beard argues that repeated stories matter because they express what people feared about rulers.
Elagabalus And The Rose Petal Tale
- Mary Beard explains the rose-petal story about Elagabalus is physically impossible and therefore false.
- She uses it to show the myth criticizes imperial generosity as potentially deadly.
Pet Stories As Autocracy Signals
- Extreme emperor anecdotes act as a symptom checker for autocracy.
- Odd pet stories or honours signal rulers breaking ordinary moral and social rules, indicating autocratic behavior.
