Acting Onstage and Off

Acting Onstage and Off
An Analysis of the Role Theatrical Performances Played in Nero’s Popularity
By Lily Nesvold

I. Introduction
Tyrant, murderer, debauchee, monster, rapist—just a small selection of the dreadful words that have been used for thousands of years to characterize Nero and his controversial reign. There is no doubt that Nero committed some truly horrific acts, of which perhaps the most unconscionable was the assassination of his mother, Agrippina. But has Nero been unfairly deemed a bad emperor, detested by all in his time…

A Check-In with Classics Students about Remote Learning

A Check-In with Classics Students about Remote Learning
By Cecelia Heintzelman

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, life has looked different for most people. For Penn students, it meant online classes and learning from home. Remote learning meant adjusting to online meetings, online clubs, and distance from friends. We, at Discentes, were curious about how our fellow students were fairing this year, so we surveyed our Classics undergraduate students about their experiences with online learning in the Fall 2020 semester…

Eclipse

Eclipse
By Millie Huang

This video essay by Millie Huang was created for CLST 143, “Great Books of Ancient Greece and Rome.” It is a response to a class project asking for a presentation-style analysis of any work of classical scholarship. The central topic of the essay is a passage titled “Theoclymenus’s Prophecy” in book 20 of the Odyssey, which has been purported to describe a total solar eclipse since antiquity…

The Stages of Grief

The Stages of Grief through the Lens of Catullus 101
By Lily Nesvold

There is no easy way to cope with the death of a loved one. Regardless of the circumstances, the devastation that those affected must face is seemingly insurmountable. Personally, I have dealt with the unfortunate passing of my grandfather and great aunt, both of which were great losses for my family. What provided me comfort in these difficult times, however, was turning to those who understood my situation for consolation and support…