Dan Stewart
@drdanstewart1.bsky.social
Ancient historian/archaeologist at the University of Leicester. Likes ancient landscapes, Roman Crete, Peloponnese, & Pausanias. Spuddling. He/him.
Pinned
Dan Stewart
@drdanstewart1.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Apropos of nothing, here's some posters I made for outside my office in case anyone wants them. Text on one edited from @blacktrowel.bsky.social, the other from an Eco article (both cited of course). If you'd like the PDF files, just email me. #antifascist #AncientBluesky 🏺
For those of you who had ‘donatives’ on your end of empire bingo card, check to see if you’ve won
a man wearing a headband that says ' apollo ' on it
Alt: An uncertain looking Roman man
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
For those of you who had ‘donatives’ on your end of empire bingo card, check to see if you’ve won
Reposted by Dan Stewart
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is one of the best encapsulations of the joys of research and random happenstance I’ve ever heard. What a wonderful heartwarming kind and quirky species we can be. #science #tinyjoys
m.youtube.com/watch?v=AA-1...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=AA-1...
Zoozve | Radiolab Podcast
YouTube video by Radiolab
m.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This is one of the best encapsulations of the joys of research and random happenstance I’ve ever heard. What a wonderful heartwarming kind and quirky species we can be. #science #tinyjoys
m.youtube.com/watch?v=AA-1...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=AA-1...
Reposted by Dan Stewart
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
This looks to be an amazing talk! The work of these two pros is so inspiring and important.
#AncientBluesky #Archaeology 🏺
#AncientBluesky #Archaeology 🏺
Speaking about my/Adnan Almohamad’s work in Greenwich tomorrow evening if you’d like to come along
📢 Event coming up at the PEF!
"Oral Histories at the Archaeological Site of Dura Europos, Syria," with Jen Baird
🗓️ 6 Nov 2025 | 🕕 6pm
📍 Greenwich SE10 9FP
✍️ RSVP: rsvppef@gmail.com
#Archaeology #Syria #Palestine #PEF
"Oral Histories at the Archaeological Site of Dura Europos, Syria," with Jen Baird
🗓️ 6 Nov 2025 | 🕕 6pm
📍 Greenwich SE10 9FP
✍️ RSVP: rsvppef@gmail.com
#Archaeology #Syria #Palestine #PEF
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This looks to be an amazing talk! The work of these two pros is so inspiring and important.
#AncientBluesky #Archaeology 🏺
#AncientBluesky #Archaeology 🏺
Reposted by Dan Stewart
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the cage –
And sings the taunting songs –
That never stop –
Yet, tonight, tonight –
When you sleep –
I will eat it.
That perches in the cage –
And sings the taunting songs –
That never stop –
Yet, tonight, tonight –
When you sleep –
I will eat it.
Eight Famous Poems Rewritten by Your Asshole Cat
“This is Just to Say” I have eaten the eggs that were on the counter which you were probably saving for breakfast. They weren’t moist or savory lik...
buff.ly
November 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the cage –
And sings the taunting songs –
That never stop –
Yet, tonight, tonight –
When you sleep –
I will eat it.
That perches in the cage –
And sings the taunting songs –
That never stop –
Yet, tonight, tonight –
When you sleep –
I will eat it.
Reposted by Dan Stewart
New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New awareness campaign
Reposted by Dan Stewart
50% of all UK universities have closed one or more courses. Almost 50% have cut a range of optional modules. Even this vastly underestimates the volume of reduction.
All this warmed over government language about distinct strengths really just refers to reduction: which hits specialisation!
All this warmed over government language about distinct strengths really just refers to reduction: which hits specialisation!
I’m old enough to remember when everybody agreed that higher education was a “market” and offering “choice” was how the universities were meant to grow
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
on.ft.com/3WTwBue
October 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
50% of all UK universities have closed one or more courses. Almost 50% have cut a range of optional modules. Even this vastly underestimates the volume of reduction.
All this warmed over government language about distinct strengths really just refers to reduction: which hits specialisation!
All this warmed over government language about distinct strengths really just refers to reduction: which hits specialisation!
In an environment where it feels like the Humanities are under attack, a new programme in Classics and Ancient History is to be celebrated! 🎉
New MA in Classics and Ancient History at Leeds - we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new MA in Classics and Ancient History, *now recruiting* for September 2026!
For more information and to apply, please visit:
courses.leeds.ac.uk/k149/classic...
For more information and to apply, please visit:
courses.leeds.ac.uk/k149/classic...
Classics and Ancient History MA | University of Leeds
The Classics and Ancient History MA is unique to Leeds and explores the ancient Mediterranean world, spanning literature, history, philosophy, religion and material culture.
courses.leeds.ac.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:36 AM
In an environment where it feels like the Humanities are under attack, a new programme in Classics and Ancient History is to be celebrated! 🎉
Reposted by Dan Stewart
Shocking news from uOttawa: Greek & Roman Studies closed to new students without consultation. Teaching of ancient languages to end. Open letter coming soon - follow for how you can help. #DefendClassicsUOttawa #Ottawa #AncientHistory #SaveHigherEd #HigherEdCuts #AncientGreek #Latin
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Shocking news from uOttawa: Greek & Roman Studies closed to new students without consultation. Teaching of ancient languages to end. Open letter coming soon - follow for how you can help. #DefendClassicsUOttawa #Ottawa #AncientHistory #SaveHigherEd #HigherEdCuts #AncientGreek #Latin
In case you didn’t believe the evidence of your own eyes, you can get some confirmation here
I wrote about the stupid white paper.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
In summary, with these people in the driver's seat and apparently unbothered by consequences, we're so cooked.
Somewhere in the Department for Education, a phone is ringing
On October 20th at a bit after 5pm, the UK government introduced its Education and Skills white paper to Parliament, to absolutely no…
hitchcockian.medium.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
In case you didn’t believe the evidence of your own eyes, you can get some confirmation here
Reposted by Dan Stewart
A welcome reprieve from politics and sleep deprivation.
Many thanks to @richardfisher.bsky.social for this lovely article on my #urbangeology rambles! www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
'Urban geology': How to find fossils (and other discoveries) in your city's buildings
If you look closer at the building stones, tiles and pavements of the big city, you can find a hidden world of geology and history, from fascinating fossils to unusual rocks.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 4:27 AM
A welcome reprieve from politics and sleep deprivation.
Reposted by Dan Stewart
🗣️ PLEASE SHARE 🗣️
I'm writing an intro & sourcebook on late ancient Gazan literature for Dar al-Kalima University Press. The press and I plan to produce an Arabic translation to make Gazan literature more accessible to Palestinians. Help me compensate the Gazan translator!
spot.fund/dn8t744sc
I'm writing an intro & sourcebook on late ancient Gazan literature for Dar al-Kalima University Press. The press and I plan to produce an Arabic translation to make Gazan literature more accessible to Palestinians. Help me compensate the Gazan translator!
spot.fund/dn8t744sc
Click here to support Chance Bonar's story *AncientGazanLitTranslation
*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.
spot.fund
October 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🗣️ PLEASE SHARE 🗣️
I'm writing an intro & sourcebook on late ancient Gazan literature for Dar al-Kalima University Press. The press and I plan to produce an Arabic translation to make Gazan literature more accessible to Palestinians. Help me compensate the Gazan translator!
spot.fund/dn8t744sc
I'm writing an intro & sourcebook on late ancient Gazan literature for Dar al-Kalima University Press. The press and I plan to produce an Arabic translation to make Gazan literature more accessible to Palestinians. Help me compensate the Gazan translator!
spot.fund/dn8t744sc
Reposted by Dan Stewart
You cannot have a ‘university’ that isn’t wide-ranging and generalist. The whole point of a university is exactly that.
October 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
You cannot have a ‘university’ that isn’t wide-ranging and generalist. The whole point of a university is exactly that.
Reposted by Dan Stewart
My book "The White Pedestal: How White Nationalists Use Ancient Greece and Rome to Justify Hate" is now available for pre-order. Use promo code WIN26 to get 30% off. Coming January 6th 2026! yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
October 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My book "The White Pedestal: How White Nationalists Use Ancient Greece and Rome to Justify Hate" is now available for pre-order. Use promo code WIN26 to get 30% off. Coming January 6th 2026! yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
Oh ffs
'The government will impose student number limits on universities offering poor quality courses as it moves to give the Office for Students (OfS) greater powers.' 1/3
Government to back student limits for ‘low-quality’ universities
Higher education institutions could be penalised if they offer courses deemed subpar as universities await Labour's reform plans
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Oh ffs
Reposted by Dan Stewart
“We may be past the point of no return, but at a minimum we ought to … assess where we are, and what we’re losing when we fully cashier robust support for Humanities research. The Humanities are us.” Feels like a(nother) good day to share this. scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/04/02/t...
The Humanities as Canary: Understanding this Crisis Now - The Scholarly Kitchen
The Humanities have always been the canary in the coal mine of the full knowledge industry. What information can help us understand this crisis and its implications?
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:06 PM
“We may be past the point of no return, but at a minimum we ought to … assess where we are, and what we’re losing when we fully cashier robust support for Humanities research. The Humanities are us.” Feels like a(nother) good day to share this. scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/04/02/t...
Reposted by Dan Stewart
It ended up a busy and crazy end of summer and start of semester (I have FOUR classes...eep).
BUT I also got this thing finally published.
74 pages in Hesperia. Not bad for my first ever peer-reviewed article in a major journal!
You can check it out at muse.jhu.edu/article/970046
BUT I also got this thing finally published.
74 pages in Hesperia. Not bad for my first ever peer-reviewed article in a major journal!
You can check it out at muse.jhu.edu/article/970046
September 29, 2025 at 12:09 AM
It ended up a busy and crazy end of summer and start of semester (I have FOUR classes...eep).
BUT I also got this thing finally published.
74 pages in Hesperia. Not bad for my first ever peer-reviewed article in a major journal!
You can check it out at muse.jhu.edu/article/970046
BUT I also got this thing finally published.
74 pages in Hesperia. Not bad for my first ever peer-reviewed article in a major journal!
You can check it out at muse.jhu.edu/article/970046
Reposted by Dan Stewart
Pleased to share this fascinating conversation with the brilliant playwright Caridad Svich @csvich.bsky.social, where we talked about her Iphigenia play and how to adapt Greek tragedy now. Out now in Practitioners' Voices in Classical Reception Studies!
university.open.ac.uk/arts/researc...
university.open.ac.uk/arts/researc...
The Open University
Caridad Svich is a US-based playwright, songwriter, editor, educator and translator of Cuban-Argentine-Spanish-Croatian descent.
university.open.ac.uk
September 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Pleased to share this fascinating conversation with the brilliant playwright Caridad Svich @csvich.bsky.social, where we talked about her Iphigenia play and how to adapt Greek tragedy now. Out now in Practitioners' Voices in Classical Reception Studies!
university.open.ac.uk/arts/researc...
university.open.ac.uk/arts/researc...
Reposted by Dan Stewart
The Institute of Classical Studies is pleased to announce its Researcher Training Programme for 2025-26 academic year. Designed for researchers in Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology, Reception Studies and Philology.
You can find an overview of programme activities here: shorturl.at/Q8Ke4
1/2
You can find an overview of programme activities here: shorturl.at/Q8Ke4
1/2
September 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The Institute of Classical Studies is pleased to announce its Researcher Training Programme for 2025-26 academic year. Designed for researchers in Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology, Reception Studies and Philology.
You can find an overview of programme activities here: shorturl.at/Q8Ke4
1/2
You can find an overview of programme activities here: shorturl.at/Q8Ke4
1/2
Reposted by Dan Stewart
Training activities include:
• Intros to digital approaches to Classics
• Developing & leading a major project
• Publishing in journals
• Applying for postdocs & fellowships
• Spring School in 3D imaging and modelling
Most activities are free & open to all regardless of career stage/affiliation
2/2
• Intros to digital approaches to Classics
• Developing & leading a major project
• Publishing in journals
• Applying for postdocs & fellowships
• Spring School in 3D imaging and modelling
Most activities are free & open to all regardless of career stage/affiliation
2/2
September 25, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Training activities include:
• Intros to digital approaches to Classics
• Developing & leading a major project
• Publishing in journals
• Applying for postdocs & fellowships
• Spring School in 3D imaging and modelling
Most activities are free & open to all regardless of career stage/affiliation
2/2
• Intros to digital approaches to Classics
• Developing & leading a major project
• Publishing in journals
• Applying for postdocs & fellowships
• Spring School in 3D imaging and modelling
Most activities are free & open to all regardless of career stage/affiliation
2/2
Reposted by Dan Stewart
On the day Rubio inaugurated an archaeological “tunnel burrowed under a Palestinian district, along a Roman-era street” in an “archaeological park established by an Israeli settler organisation… Israeli planes bombed the most important storage depot of ancient artefacts in Gaza City”
‘Tunnel vision’: how Israel is using archaeology for political ends
‘Tunnel vision’: how Israel is using archaeology for political ends
Scientists say Netanyahu government and its US backers are trying to construct a history shorn of all complexity
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
On the day Rubio inaugurated an archaeological “tunnel burrowed under a Palestinian district, along a Roman-era street” in an “archaeological park established by an Israeli settler organisation… Israeli planes bombed the most important storage depot of ancient artefacts in Gaza City”
Reposted by Dan Stewart
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEv... For decades we've worked to enhance the Sheffield Zooarch Lab & to see years of dedication destroyed by corporate executives who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing is heart breaking @watchingbrief.bsky.social #savesheffieldarchaeology
The destruction of the Zooarch laboratories in Sheffield
YouTube video by Sheffield Zooarchaeology Lab
www.youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEv... For decades we've worked to enhance the Sheffield Zooarch Lab & to see years of dedication destroyed by corporate executives who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing is heart breaking @watchingbrief.bsky.social #savesheffieldarchaeology
Reposted by Dan Stewart
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
Events
Stay up to date with the upcoming events organised or hosted by the Institute of Historical Research
www.history.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
So #Leicester is heading out on strike soon, against looming job cuts. Today we found out that #AncientHistory is ranked first in the Times University Rankings. In the Guardian we're 5th. But we're also all overworked and demoralised. We try to protect the students from that, but it's always there.
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
So #Leicester is heading out on strike soon, against looming job cuts. Today we found out that #AncientHistory is ranked first in the Times University Rankings. In the Guardian we're 5th. But we're also all overworked and demoralised. We try to protect the students from that, but it's always there.