David J. DeVore
@devoretext.bsky.social
Ancient Mediterranean historian, Cal Poly Pomona. History, the human past (those 2 aren't the same), politics, some baseball. Views here not of my institution.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
It is genuinely hard for most people to grasp how poor the past was.
November 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
It is genuinely hard for most people to grasp how poor the past was.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study.
theconversation.com/the-roman-em...
theconversation.com/the-roman-em...
The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study
A new comprehensive map reveals the true scale of the ancient Roman road network – but it is still incomplete.
theconversation.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study.
theconversation.com/the-roman-em...
theconversation.com/the-roman-em...
Reposted by David J. DeVore
But *fundamentally* Big Boy War is won with spreadsheets, it is won with production, it is won with research and development.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
November 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
But *fundamentally* Big Boy War is won with spreadsheets, it is won with production, it is won with research and development.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
And then Alex Verdugo won the World Series...for the Dodgers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oPC...
November 2, 2025 at 5:34 AM
And then Alex Verdugo won the World Series...for the Dodgers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oPC...
Reposted by David J. DeVore
This is the sixth straight season in which a Will Smith wins a World Series:
2025: C Will Smith (LAD)
2024: C Will Smith (LAD)
2023: LHP Will Smith (TEX)
2022: LHP Will Smith (HOU)
2021: LHP Will Smith (ATL)
2020: C Will Smith (LAD)
2025: C Will Smith (LAD)
2024: C Will Smith (LAD)
2023: LHP Will Smith (TEX)
2022: LHP Will Smith (HOU)
2021: LHP Will Smith (ATL)
2020: C Will Smith (LAD)
November 2, 2025 at 4:48 AM
This is the sixth straight season in which a Will Smith wins a World Series:
2025: C Will Smith (LAD)
2024: C Will Smith (LAD)
2023: LHP Will Smith (TEX)
2022: LHP Will Smith (HOU)
2021: LHP Will Smith (ATL)
2020: C Will Smith (LAD)
2025: C Will Smith (LAD)
2024: C Will Smith (LAD)
2023: LHP Will Smith (TEX)
2022: LHP Will Smith (HOU)
2021: LHP Will Smith (ATL)
2020: C Will Smith (LAD)
Reposted by David J. DeVore
With the Dodgers forcing a Game 7, we now have 7 series that have gone the full distance this postseason
That’s two more than in any other single postseason
(And yes, there are more series these days, but 7 has been possible since ‘95 and in ‘81)
That’s two more than in any other single postseason
(And yes, there are more series these days, but 7 has been possible since ‘95 and in ‘81)
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 AM
With the Dodgers forcing a Game 7, we now have 7 series that have gone the full distance this postseason
That’s two more than in any other single postseason
(And yes, there are more series these days, but 7 has been possible since ‘95 and in ‘81)
That’s two more than in any other single postseason
(And yes, there are more series these days, but 7 has been possible since ‘95 and in ‘81)
Reposted by David J. DeVore
The Jays and Dodgers will break for Christmas Eve to share a drink in no man’s land, show each other photos of the family they left back home, before heading back to their respective trenches.
October 28, 2025 at 5:56 AM
The Jays and Dodgers will break for Christmas Eve to share a drink in no man’s land, show each other photos of the family they left back home, before heading back to their respective trenches.
Zeus: Oh, who hasn’t had 135 sexual partners of both sexes, including multiple sisters, & most unconsenting?
Describe a character in Greek mythology the way someone trying to defend a politician would. I’ll start.
Oedipus: Like you’ve never had sex with someone and regretted it later
Oedipus: Like you’ve never had sex with someone and regretted it later
October 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Zeus: Oh, who hasn’t had 135 sexual partners of both sexes, including multiple sisters, & most unconsenting?
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
Pink Floyd
Beethoven
Nirvana
Metallica
Beatles
Gaga
Neil Young
Fauré
Pink Floyd
Beethoven
Nirvana
Metallica
Beatles
Gaga
Neil Young
Fauré
Define your music taste in eight artists:
1. CAKE
2. Chappell Roan
3. The Cranberries
4. Japanese Breakfast
5. John Hartford
6. Punch Brothers
7. Rage Against the Machine
8. Run the Jewels
1. CAKE
2. Chappell Roan
3. The Cranberries
4. Japanese Breakfast
5. John Hartford
6. Punch Brothers
7. Rage Against the Machine
8. Run the Jewels
Define your music taste in eight artists:
The Mountain Goats
Chad VanGaalen
Cat Power
Neutral Milk Hotel
Silver Mt. Zion
Sufjan Stevens
Stars
Woodpidgeon
The Mountain Goats
Chad VanGaalen
Cat Power
Neutral Milk Hotel
Silver Mt. Zion
Sufjan Stevens
Stars
Woodpidgeon
October 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Define your musical taste in eight artists:
Pink Floyd
Beethoven
Nirvana
Metallica
Beatles
Gaga
Neil Young
Fauré
Pink Floyd
Beethoven
Nirvana
Metallica
Beatles
Gaga
Neil Young
Fauré
Arch of Titus also celebrated a victory over insurrectionists within Roman imperial territory who were framed as foreigners for triumphalist state propaganda, it’s worth noting.
The Arch of Constantine is one of the clearest state sponsored images of civil war and Romans killing other Romans in the name of seeing them as ‘enemies within’ that survives from antiquity. But sure yeah let’s build one of those in DC right now. Sure is timely.
People think there are no Roman history emergencies, right up to the day a sitting president proposes a triumphal arch. Now suddenly everyone needs a good handle on Titus and Constantine.
October 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Arch of Titus also celebrated a victory over insurrectionists within Roman imperial territory who were framed as foreigners for triumphalist state propaganda, it’s worth noting.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
I feel thrown by the widespread proclamations of a glorious, lasting peace in Gaza. A lot even treats “now that it’s all over” as the unquestioned premise.
It still looks like a disaster to me. Am I way off? Are my domestic politics distorting my view? Either the consensus is wrong or I am.
It still looks like a disaster to me. Am I way off? Are my domestic politics distorting my view? Either the consensus is wrong or I am.
October 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I feel thrown by the widespread proclamations of a glorious, lasting peace in Gaza. A lot even treats “now that it’s all over” as the unquestioned premise.
It still looks like a disaster to me. Am I way off? Are my domestic politics distorting my view? Either the consensus is wrong or I am.
It still looks like a disaster to me. Am I way off? Are my domestic politics distorting my view? Either the consensus is wrong or I am.
August 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Oregon faculty ask that we sign and share widely. actionnetwork.org/petitions/fi...
Fight Cuts, Defend Higher Education at the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is planning to lay off an undisclosed number of faculty—including many tenured faculty—and to close units based on a projected budget deficit that was discovered late spring t...
actionnetwork.org
August 21, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Oregon faculty ask that we sign and share widely. actionnetwork.org/petitions/fi...
Reposted by David J. DeVore
“American Academy of Arts&Sciences reports 96.3% of humanities grads age 23-32 fully employed. Earnings in humanitiess comparable to social/life sciences, job satisfaction levels too. A serious mismatch bw actual employment for hum grads +general perception."
www.mellon.org/voices/human...
www.mellon.org/voices/human...
Mellon Foundation
The Mellon Foundation makes grants to actively unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.
www.mellon.org
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
“American Academy of Arts&Sciences reports 96.3% of humanities grads age 23-32 fully employed. Earnings in humanitiess comparable to social/life sciences, job satisfaction levels too. A serious mismatch bw actual employment for hum grads +general perception."
www.mellon.org/voices/human...
www.mellon.org/voices/human...
This is true *unless* you have a Roy Moore situation--i.e. if Mamdani has said or done something that's absolutely toxic across the political spectrum.
But I haven't seen Mamdani say or do any such thing. (I don't think his nuance on the term "intifada" qualifies; nor do his proposed policies.)
But I haven't seen Mamdani say or do any such thing. (I don't think his nuance on the term "intifada" qualifies; nor do his proposed policies.)
As someone who’s been a Democrat for only six weeks, I think this is such an important point. We’re either a big tent, or we aren’t. And if we are a big tent, that means progressives unite around a moderate nominee, and moderates unite around a progressive nominee. Period.👇
July 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
This is true *unless* you have a Roy Moore situation--i.e. if Mamdani has said or done something that's absolutely toxic across the political spectrum.
But I haven't seen Mamdani say or do any such thing. (I don't think his nuance on the term "intifada" qualifies; nor do his proposed policies.)
But I haven't seen Mamdani say or do any such thing. (I don't think his nuance on the term "intifada" qualifies; nor do his proposed policies.)
I hear this from colleagues all the time.
I've long taught speedreading skills for busy students. But many don't even do that.
I've long taught speedreading skills for busy students. But many don't even do that.
July 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I hear this from colleagues all the time.
I've long taught speedreading skills for busy students. But many don't even do that.
I've long taught speedreading skills for busy students. But many don't even do that.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Up from Harmut Leppin at BMCR, a review of an edited volume reflecting on scholarship, and scholars, under the Nazis:
bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2025/2025.07...
bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2025/2025.07...
The betrayal of the humanities: the university during the Third Reich – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
bmcr.brynmawr.edu
July 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Up from Harmut Leppin at BMCR, a review of an edited volume reflecting on scholarship, and scholars, under the Nazis:
bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2025/2025.07...
bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2025/2025.07...
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Indiana Jones will be played by a rotating cast of three adjuncts who answer to two different associate deans
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
It looks like Indiana Jones might actually be headed for the reboot treatment. According to a recent report from DisInsider , Disney and Lucasfilm are considering a full relaunch of the iconic adventure...
buff.ly
July 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Indiana Jones will be played by a rotating cast of three adjuncts who answer to two different associate deans
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Here's a cool idea. Hire a robot to train for sports for you. And then describe that training for you. Then you go play the sport.
You'll lose, immediately, like a fucking clown, because you didn't actually train.
This is that, with learning.
You'll lose, immediately, like a fucking clown, because you didn't actually train.
This is that, with learning.
June 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Here's a cool idea. Hire a robot to train for sports for you. And then describe that training for you. Then you go play the sport.
You'll lose, immediately, like a fucking clown, because you didn't actually train.
This is that, with learning.
You'll lose, immediately, like a fucking clown, because you didn't actually train.
This is that, with learning.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Five things to remember about war:
June 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Five things to remember about war:
Reposted by David J. DeVore
What are the odds of a Nobel peace prize now?
June 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
What are the odds of a Nobel peace prize now?
Reposted by David J. DeVore
Big congrats to the "no new wars" crowd.
You got what you spent years willfully ignoring. Good for you.
You got what you spent years willfully ignoring. Good for you.
June 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Big congrats to the "no new wars" crowd.
You got what you spent years willfully ignoring. Good for you.
You got what you spent years willfully ignoring. Good for you.
Reposted by David J. DeVore
There is no “one and done” in any conflict.
The opponent always gets a vote, and unless we’ve prepped for all the things Iran may do we’re gonna have some surprises.
The opponent always gets a vote, and unless we’ve prepped for all the things Iran may do we’re gonna have some surprises.
June 22, 2025 at 1:24 AM
There is no “one and done” in any conflict.
The opponent always gets a vote, and unless we’ve prepped for all the things Iran may do we’re gonna have some surprises.
The opponent always gets a vote, and unless we’ve prepped for all the things Iran may do we’re gonna have some surprises.
This is one way to promote Islam!
i need y’all to know i turned around, stopped in an empty lot, and then got *out* of my car to document this roadside heresiology. research. 😎
June 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
This is one way to promote Islam!
This makes me sad.
I think I understand the decision (& thank you Prof. Noreña for some explanation). Ofc I wasn’t in the room.
But the myriad scholars not fluent in English will have a barrier to writing in what is (at least now) the most-read review venue in ancient Mediterranean studies. 1/
I think I understand the decision (& thank you Prof. Noreña for some explanation). Ofc I wasn’t in the room.
But the myriad scholars not fluent in English will have a barrier to writing in what is (at least now) the most-read review venue in ancient Mediterranean studies. 1/
May 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This makes me sad.
I think I understand the decision (& thank you Prof. Noreña for some explanation). Ofc I wasn’t in the room.
But the myriad scholars not fluent in English will have a barrier to writing in what is (at least now) the most-read review venue in ancient Mediterranean studies. 1/
I think I understand the decision (& thank you Prof. Noreña for some explanation). Ofc I wasn’t in the room.
But the myriad scholars not fluent in English will have a barrier to writing in what is (at least now) the most-read review venue in ancient Mediterranean studies. 1/