Tom Elliott
@paregorios.bsky.social
Roman Historian and Human Digitalist. Works for NYU's https://isaw.nyu.edu, but lives near Huntsville, Alabama. Editor/PI of the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places (https://pleiades.stoa.org).
Primary social account: https://hcommons.social/@paregorios/
Primary social account: https://hcommons.social/@paregorios/
Reposted by Tom Elliott
"Secret police" is often misunderstood to mean a force that operates covertly, with all their operations secret.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
January 7, 2026 at 9:09 PM
"Secret police" is often misunderstood to mean a force that operates covertly, with all their operations secret.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
It has been an obvious, sometimes even almost stated project of Trump 2.0 to engineer a redo of the post George Floyd protests of 2020, this time with much more state violence. And now a federal agent has shot and killed a woman in a car at point blank range a mile from where Floyd was murdered.
January 7, 2026 at 9:29 PM
It has been an obvious, sometimes even almost stated project of Trump 2.0 to engineer a redo of the post George Floyd protests of 2020, this time with much more state violence. And now a federal agent has shot and killed a woman in a car at point blank range a mile from where Floyd was murdered.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
On only hours notice, hundreds of New Yorkers are gathering in Foley Square to protest the murder of Renee Nicole Good
January 7, 2026 at 11:06 PM
On only hours notice, hundreds of New Yorkers are gathering in Foley Square to protest the murder of Renee Nicole Good
Reposted by Tom Elliott
I just left the Venezuela briefing.
It's worse than you thought.
Oil company executives seem to know more about Trump's secret plan to "run" Venezuela than the American people.
We need public Senate hearings NOW.
It's worse than you thought.
Oil company executives seem to know more about Trump's secret plan to "run" Venezuela than the American people.
We need public Senate hearings NOW.
January 7, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I just left the Venezuela briefing.
It's worse than you thought.
Oil company executives seem to know more about Trump's secret plan to "run" Venezuela than the American people.
We need public Senate hearings NOW.
It's worse than you thought.
Oil company executives seem to know more about Trump's secret plan to "run" Venezuela than the American people.
We need public Senate hearings NOW.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
The Trace has been tracking shootings connected to Trump's immigration crackdowns — an important project that I had somehow missed but shines today: www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM
The Trace has been tracking shootings connected to Trump's immigration crackdowns — an important project that I had somehow missed but shines today: www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Exceptionally rare carnyx (Celtic battle trumpet) found in England. 🏺🧪
Rare 2,000-year-old war trumpet, possibly linked to Celtic queen Boudica, discovered in England
Archaeologists have announced their discovery of a metal hoard that contained an extremely rare example of a Celtic battle trumpet.
www.livescience.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Exceptionally rare carnyx (Celtic battle trumpet) found in England. 🏺🧪
Reposted by Tom Elliott
NYU Undergrads Developed Egyptian Hieroglyph Recognition Applications at ArchaeoHack 2025 — Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
isaw.nyu.edu/news/archaeo...
isaw.nyu.edu/news/archaeo...
NYU Undergrads Developed Egyptian Hieroglyph Recognition Applications at ArchaeoHack 2025
On November 15–16, 2025, the NYU Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) hosted ArchaeoHack 2025, the first university-level hackathon dedicated to archaeology and the ancient world. The e...
isaw.nyu.edu
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
NYU Undergrads Developed Egyptian Hieroglyph Recognition Applications at ArchaeoHack 2025 — Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
isaw.nyu.edu/news/archaeo...
isaw.nyu.edu/news/archaeo...
Reposted by Tom Elliott
A gentle reminder that their Death did not start reaping today.
ICE's Deadly December: Record-Setting Detained Population and Detention Deaths
Record detention population of 68,442 coincides with seven December deaths in ICE custody, the deadliest month of 2025.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/ices-deadl...
Record detention population of 68,442 coincides with seven December deaths in ICE custody, the deadliest month of 2025.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/ices-deadl...
ICE's Deadly December: Record-Setting Detained Population and Detention Deaths
Record detention population of 68,442 coincides with seven December deaths in ICE custody, the deadliest month of 2025. Facilities may struggle during rapid intake periods when resources are strained.
austinkocher.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:13 PM
A gentle reminder that their Death did not start reaping today.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Worth noting that Minnesota Public Radio is NOT doing that. They're interviewing people on the ground, chasing down witnesses and facts, and treating ICE statements with the appropriate amount of skepticism.
Sigh. The NPR national news brief at the top of the hour mentioned the shooting and simply cited the DHS statement.
I truly don't think mainstream journalists in the U.S are prepared to cover state violence
January 7, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Worth noting that Minnesota Public Radio is NOT doing that. They're interviewing people on the ground, chasing down witnesses and facts, and treating ICE statements with the appropriate amount of skepticism.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
local public radio is an incredible resource and there are amazing reporters on the ground right now -- and you can stream MPR live.
Worth noting that Minnesota Public Radio is NOT doing that. They're interviewing people on the ground, chasing down witnesses and facts, and treating ICE statements with the appropriate amount of skepticism.
Sigh. The NPR national news brief at the top of the hour mentioned the shooting and simply cited the DHS statement.
January 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
local public radio is an incredible resource and there are amazing reporters on the ground right now -- and you can stream MPR live.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Minneapolis Mayor says video shows DHS claims of self-defense are “bullshit.” He says ICE created the situation & made it worse. His message to ICE: “Get the fuck out of Minneapolis." He encourages citizens not to take the bait & rise to the occasion. "Let's show them unity."
The truth about this incident will emerge. Plenty of people took video; the shooting will be analyzed. A badge is not a license to shoot. Deadly force can’t be used unless an agent reasonably believes their life/the lives of other are at risk. Law enforcement’s job is to protect & serve.
A US citizen has apparently been shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis. I’m gathering information, but the situation on the ground is volatile.
ICE should leave now for everyone’s safety.
ICE should leave now for everyone’s safety.
January 7, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Minneapolis Mayor says video shows DHS claims of self-defense are “bullshit.” He says ICE created the situation & made it worse. His message to ICE: “Get the fuck out of Minneapolis." He encourages citizens not to take the bait & rise to the occasion. "Let's show them unity."
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Took my experience using @quarto.org for coding documentation and applied it to an archaeological problem… one of my main 2025 projects, happy to see it out in the world—
ISAW and NYU Press are pleased to announce the #openaccess digital publication of ‘Ain el-Gedida: 2006-2008 Excavations of a Late Antique Site in Egypt's Western Desert (Amheida IV) by N. Aravecchia. Read the digitial edition: dlib.nyu.edu/awdl/isaw/id... More info here:
isaw.nyu.edu/library/blog...
isaw.nyu.edu/library/blog...
ISAW announces the digital publication of ‘Ain el-Gedida: 2006-2008 Excavations of a Late Antique Site in Egypt's Western Desert (Amheida IV)
The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World and NYU Press are pleased to announce the open access digital publication of ‘Ain el-Gedida: 2006-2008 Excavations of a Late Antique Site in Egypt's We...
isaw.nyu.edu
January 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Took my experience using @quarto.org for coding documentation and applied it to an archaeological problem… one of my main 2025 projects, happy to see it out in the world—
Reposted by Tom Elliott
NEW: Second video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A woman, a U.S. citizen, was killed
January 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM
NEW: Second video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A woman, a U.S. citizen, was killed
Reposted by Tom Elliott
This is the ICE agent who murdered the American in Minneapolis. After murdering the woman he fled the scene.
January 7, 2026 at 6:50 PM
This is the ICE agent who murdered the American in Minneapolis. After murdering the woman he fled the scene.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
ICE agents stopped by protesters after the shooting an observer in Minneapolis, according to witnesse. ICE deployed pepper spray and tear gas.
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
ICE agents stopped by protesters after the shooting an observer in Minneapolis, according to witnesse. ICE deployed pepper spray and tear gas.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Hey, @nytimes.com, I should not have to scroll to get to this story. Bump it up.
January 7, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Hey, @nytimes.com, I should not have to scroll to get to this story. Bump it up.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
The truth about this incident will emerge. Plenty of people took video; the shooting will be analyzed. A badge is not a license to shoot. Deadly force can’t be used unless an agent reasonably believes their life/the lives of other are at risk. Law enforcement’s job is to protect & serve.
A US citizen has apparently been shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis. I’m gathering information, but the situation on the ground is volatile.
ICE should leave now for everyone’s safety.
ICE should leave now for everyone’s safety.
January 7, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The truth about this incident will emerge. Plenty of people took video; the shooting will be analyzed. A badge is not a license to shoot. Deadly force can’t be used unless an agent reasonably believes their life/the lives of other are at risk. Law enforcement’s job is to protect & serve.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Headed to SF for #AIASCS — presenting Saturday morning (10 Jan. @ 8am, DCA panel) on the Latin content of LLM training data repos, massive-scale philology, and classics-comp sci collaboration w. D. Bamman, C. Brooks, M. Hudspeth & B. O’Connor #digiclass #nlproc
January 7, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Headed to SF for #AIASCS — presenting Saturday morning (10 Jan. @ 8am, DCA panel) on the Latin content of LLM training data repos, massive-scale philology, and classics-comp sci collaboration w. D. Bamman, C. Brooks, M. Hudspeth & B. O’Connor #digiclass #nlproc
Reposted by Tom Elliott
We’re currently experiencing a widespread outage affecting access to Knowledge Commons, including KCWorks and all user sites. Our team is actively investigating and working to restore service as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience, and we're sorry for the inconvenience.
January 7, 2026 at 1:50 PM
We’re currently experiencing a widespread outage affecting access to Knowledge Commons, including KCWorks and all user sites. Our team is actively investigating and working to restore service as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience, and we're sorry for the inconvenience.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
January 7, 49 BCE: Julius Caesar is declared a hostis (‘enemy’) of the Roman state through a Senatus Consultum Ultimum passed by the Senate. Why? Because Julius Caesar was a treasoner and Senates should act to designate transgressors as such.
January 7, 2026 at 1:24 PM
January 7, 49 BCE: Julius Caesar is declared a hostis (‘enemy’) of the Roman state through a Senatus Consultum Ultimum passed by the Senate. Why? Because Julius Caesar was a treasoner and Senates should act to designate transgressors as such.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Hi folks. I'll be speaking at #MLA2026! It is session 438, The Humanities Funding Landscape, Saturday at 10:15AM in MTCC - 606. Come learn about our humanities programs @schmidtsciences.bsky.social. I'll also be talking a bit about my last (sad) days at the NEH. Grab me if you wanna chat!
January 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Hi folks. I'll be speaking at #MLA2026! It is session 438, The Humanities Funding Landscape, Saturday at 10:15AM in MTCC - 606. Come learn about our humanities programs @schmidtsciences.bsky.social. I'll also be talking a bit about my last (sad) days at the NEH. Grab me if you wanna chat!
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Bonus points: how would you capture these bits of this multilayered edition in #EpiDoc?
#EpigraphyTuesday
So what do we read? Illiterate lettercutter? Nonstandard use of Greek numerals? Hopelessly corrupt text? And what about that squiggle after the Ο/Θ?
I'll leave you to decide what you'd do with this mess!
So what do we read? Illiterate lettercutter? Nonstandard use of Greek numerals? Hopelessly corrupt text? And what about that squiggle after the Ο/Θ?
I'll leave you to decide what you'd do with this mess!
January 6, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Bonus points: how would you capture these bits of this multilayered edition in #EpiDoc?
Reposted by Tom Elliott
Endnotes are Beelzebub's instrument.
This place needs some Innocuous Discourse pronto. Quote this with a take that’s not political or aggressive
January 6, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Endnotes are Beelzebub's instrument.
Reposted by Tom Elliott
We took #washu students on a field trip yesterday to W #dalhlaoasis to see the temple of Deir el Hagar, the tombs of El Muzzawaka, the site and pyramid of Amheida, and medieval and Ottoman mudbrick city of el Qasr. #amheida2026 #isawnyu
January 6, 2026 at 11:13 AM
We took #washu students on a field trip yesterday to W #dalhlaoasis to see the temple of Deir el Hagar, the tombs of El Muzzawaka, the site and pyramid of Amheida, and medieval and Ottoman mudbrick city of el Qasr. #amheida2026 #isawnyu
Reposted by Tom Elliott
@isawnyu.bsky.social ISAW library staff embedded with @amheida-project.bsky.social visited the medieval and mudbrick city of el Qasr in the #dakhlaoasis with some #washu students yesterday. Among the highlights was the library of the madrasa! #egypt #libraries #nyulibraries
January 6, 2026 at 11:25 AM
@isawnyu.bsky.social ISAW library staff embedded with @amheida-project.bsky.social visited the medieval and mudbrick city of el Qasr in the #dakhlaoasis with some #washu students yesterday. Among the highlights was the library of the madrasa! #egypt #libraries #nyulibraries