Friends of Antiquity Adrian Heyworth-Smith Memorial Lecture: Suetonius on the Roman emperor as pater patriae (father of the fatherland)

Join UQ’s Friends of Antiquity at the annual Adrian Heyworth-Smith Memorial Lecture, titled 'Suetonius on the Roman emperor as pater patriae (father of the fatherland)’.

 

Recent scholarship has linked the title pater patriae (father of the fatherland) to the Roman emperor’s role as protector and sustainer of the family unit, whose stability and prosperity had suffered greatly through the civil wars and beyond.

 

There is much to commend this view, but the focus of imperial biographer Suetonius is different: he concentrates on relationships between emperors and groups at the public level when explaining the significance of the title.

 

Join Associate Professor Tom Stevenson as he examines Suetonius' treatment of the pater patriae title, exploring reasons behind the biographer's distinct perspective compared to recent scholars, particularly in his famous Lives of the Caesars.

 

This lecture will be followed by afternoon tea.

 

Date: Sunday 9 February 2025

Time: 1:45pm for 2–3:15pm, followed by afternoon tea

Location: Room E302, Forgan Smith Building, UQ St Lucia

Cost: $10 per person

 

Registrations are essential for this event.