Maria Wyke

In this discussion, guests Maria Wyke, a Professor of Latin, Matthew Nicholls, an Oxford Fellow, and Shushma Malik, a Classics Lecturer, delve into the life of Emperor Nero, who ascended the throne at just 16. They explore his notorious reputation, from early popularity to allegations of tyranny and his extravagant lifestyle. The podcast discusses the Great Fire of Rome and the conspiracy that led to his downfall. Additionally, they examine Nero's fraught relationship with his mother and the lasting impact of his reign on Christian narratives and Roman history.

Maria Wyke, a Professor of Latin at University College London, and Dunstan Lowe, a Senior Lecturer in Latin Literature at the University of Kent, dive into the life of the infamous Roman poet Ovid. They discuss his influential works, especially 'Metamorphoses' and 'The Art of Love', and the scandal that led to his exile. The conversation explores Ovid's unique storytelling on transformation, his innovative approach to love poetry, and how his time in exile reshaped his writing, revealing deeper emotional layers and a poignant legacy.

Gail Trimble, a Brown Fellow specializing in Classics, Simon Smith, a Reader in Creative Writing and translator of Catullus, and Maria Wyke, a Professor of Latin, delve into the audacious poetry of Catullus. They discuss his innovative expressions of love and betrayal through his muse, Lesbia, and how his explicit works were initially controversial. The conversation highlights Catullus's lasting influence on poets like Virgil and Petrarch, as well as the challenges of translating his emotionally rich, often scatological verses into modern contexts.