When in Greece... Aemilius Paullus's Tour from Delphi to Olympia

In 168 BCE, the Roman commander L. Aemilius Paullus defeated the Macedonian King Perseus at the Battle of Pydna, near Mount Olympus. Following his victory, Paullus embarked on a journey through Greece, beginning at the sacred site of Delphi and ending at Olympia. Along the way, he visited Athens, Corinth, Sparta, and various other cities and shrines, seemingly balancing his role as a Roman conqueror with an admiration for Greek culture. The Roman author Livy in particular portrays him almost as a sightseeing tourist. What was the place of religion and sanctuaries in this cultural encounter? For one evening, we will join Aemilius Paullus on his travels, exploring the dynamic relationship between Rome’s rising empire and the rich heritage of ancient Greece.

Speaker: Dr Annelies Cazemier, University of Southampton