Scott McDonough
@sjmcdonough.bsky.social
Historian of the late ancient world: Sasanian Iran, the Caucasus, and the Eastern Roman Empire. Professor at William Paterson University. I like cats, photography, and sweet cabbage pierogi.
I've really come to appreciate the wonder variety of Medieval English tiles.
All a bit manic just now, so turning to a joyous medieval flying hooved doggo/dragon for #TilesOnTuesday.
And he's a very good boy.
Among riches of MOLA's 2021 Blossom St site north of Spitalfields - Iron Age horse remains, Roman burials, medieval walls, Tudor ovens + more.
And he's a very good boy.
Among riches of MOLA's 2021 Blossom St site north of Spitalfields - Iron Age horse remains, Roman burials, medieval walls, Tudor ovens + more.
November 19, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I've really come to appreciate the wonder variety of Medieval English tiles.
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Behind every "low enrolment " statistic is a real student.
Meet Madison who's studying Classics at uOttawa. Here she tells us more about what inspires her and her hopes for the future. #GreekRomanStudies #ottawa #uottawa #SaveClassicsUO #SaveHigherEd #AncientBluesky
Meet Madison who's studying Classics at uOttawa. Here she tells us more about what inspires her and her hopes for the future. #GreekRomanStudies #ottawa #uottawa #SaveClassicsUO #SaveHigherEd #AncientBluesky
November 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Behind every "low enrolment " statistic is a real student.
Meet Madison who's studying Classics at uOttawa. Here she tells us more about what inspires her and her hopes for the future. #GreekRomanStudies #ottawa #uottawa #SaveClassicsUO #SaveHigherEd #AncientBluesky
Meet Madison who's studying Classics at uOttawa. Here she tells us more about what inspires her and her hopes for the future. #GreekRomanStudies #ottawa #uottawa #SaveClassicsUO #SaveHigherEd #AncientBluesky
I love medieval Islamic ceramics, Seljuk and Ilkhanid eras in particular.
Bowl with Flying Birds https://clevelandart.org/art/1915.589
November 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I love medieval Islamic ceramics, Seljuk and Ilkhanid eras in particular.
I'm really looking forward to this upcoming monograph about the Umayyad governor, al-Hajjāj. He is a central figure in one of my favorite historical moments (the Second Fitna and its aftermath).
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-el...
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-el...
The Eloquent Tyrant by Pamela Klasova - Hardcover
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
www.ucpress.edu
November 14, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I'm really looking forward to this upcoming monograph about the Umayyad governor, al-Hajjāj. He is a central figure in one of my favorite historical moments (the Second Fitna and its aftermath).
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-el...
www.ucpress.edu/books/the-el...
William II of Sicily's (1166–1189) kinky boots. It almost looks like he's wearing them in the dedication mosaic of Monreale Cathedral.
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 AM
William II of Sicily's (1166–1189) kinky boots. It almost looks like he's wearing them in the dedication mosaic of Monreale Cathedral.
Seeing (secondhand) Joyce Carol Oates keelhaul Elon Musk on his own platform has been a delight.
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Seeing (secondhand) Joyce Carol Oates keelhaul Elon Musk on his own platform has been a delight.
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Top of the morning.
November 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Top of the morning.
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Qualities of Ringdoves (recto); On the Benefits of Quails (verso), from a Manafi' al-Hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu' (d. 1058) https://clevelandart.org/art/1945.382
November 9, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Qualities of Ringdoves (recto); On the Benefits of Quails (verso), from a Manafi' al-Hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu' (d. 1058) https://clevelandart.org/art/1945.382
Reposted by Scott McDonough
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Curiously, I just taught about the ʿAbbāsid Caliph al-Muʿtaṣim's recruitment of Türks for his private guard yesterday. This should be a great talk at ISAW if you're in the NYC area on November 11th...
From Samarkand to Samarra: Turks in the Army of the Abbasid Caliphs (9th century CE)
This lecture will take place in person at ISAW. Registration is required; click through for the registration link. This talk will explore some of the questions and controversies surrounding the deploy...
isaw.nyu.edu
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Curiously, I just taught about the ʿAbbāsid Caliph al-Muʿtaṣim's recruitment of Türks for his private guard yesterday. This should be a great talk at ISAW if you're in the NYC area on November 11th...
Some details from the Parthian Rhyta of Old Nisa. From the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Some details from the Parthian Rhyta of Old Nisa. From the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
Going through my summer photos from the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi), which has amazing ancient collections and...contemporary art.
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Going through my summer photos from the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi), which has amazing ancient collections and...contemporary art.
Rhyta on parade at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Rhyta on parade at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
This vase found in the Buddhist Stupa at Merv was really snazzy. Now at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
This vase found in the Buddhist Stupa at Merv was really snazzy. Now at the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Scott McDonough
1st November is All Saints' Day.
BL Add 11695; The 'Silos Apocalypse'; 1091-1109 CE; Spain, N.; ff.112v, 113r
BL Add 11695; The 'Silos Apocalypse'; 1091-1109 CE; Spain, N.; ff.112v, 113r
November 1, 2025 at 9:26 PM
1st November is All Saints' Day.
BL Add 11695; The 'Silos Apocalypse'; 1091-1109 CE; Spain, N.; ff.112v, 113r
BL Add 11695; The 'Silos Apocalypse'; 1091-1109 CE; Spain, N.; ff.112v, 113r
A bit of fall color from my morning walk.
November 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
A bit of fall color from my morning walk.
Reposted by Scott McDonough
1st November is All Saints' Day
BnF MS Latin 1141; Sacramentarium of Charles the Bald (?); 9th century, c.869-870; ff.5v, 6r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
BnF MS Latin 1141; Sacramentarium of Charles the Bald (?); 9th century, c.869-870; ff.5v, 6r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
1st November is All Saints' Day
BnF MS Latin 1141; Sacramentarium of Charles the Bald (?); 9th century, c.869-870; ff.5v, 6r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
BnF MS Latin 1141; Sacramentarium of Charles the Bald (?); 9th century, c.869-870; ff.5v, 6r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Roman glass cups with colourful enamel decoration of animals from the Roman arena. AD 200s.
Found in richly-furnished graves in Denmark. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Found in richly-furnished graves in Denmark. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
October 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Roman glass cups with colourful enamel decoration of animals from the Roman arena. AD 200s.
Found in richly-furnished graves in Denmark. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Found in richly-furnished graves in Denmark. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Can anyone identify the bloated disciples on this bizarre Fodzyme ad that showed up in my Facebook feed? I'm curious if Judas snuck out before the gluten consumption...
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Can anyone identify the bloated disciples on this bizarre Fodzyme ad that showed up in my Facebook feed? I'm curious if Judas snuck out before the gluten consumption...
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
Also, is it canonical that the Body and Blood of The Lord cause bloating?
Reposted by Scott McDonough
The Princeton University numismatic collection integrated into the Nomisma.org Linked Open Data cloud, with almost new 3,600 coins! 💰 If you don’t know about the Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE) project (my fav of all), with many 1000s of coins and types, check it out! numismatics.org/ocre/
October 30, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Princeton University numismatic collection integrated into the Nomisma.org Linked Open Data cloud, with almost new 3,600 coins! 💰 If you don’t know about the Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE) project (my fav of all), with many 1000s of coins and types, check it out! numismatics.org/ocre/
Reposted by Scott McDonough
Mar Awa III, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, also born in Chicago, gave Pope Leo a Cubs jersey.
October 28, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Mar Awa III, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, also born in Chicago, gave Pope Leo a Cubs jersey.
I was invited to Ottawa as a humble grad student to present my research. I have very warm feelings for their Classics Department and university, even if I almost froze to death due to my poor packing (thank heavens for the toque and scarf I bought at The Bay).
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
Sign the Petition
Save Greek and Latin at the University of Ottawa!
www.change.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I was invited to Ottawa as a humble grad student to present my research. I have very warm feelings for their Classics Department and university, even if I almost froze to death due to my poor packing (thank heavens for the toque and scarf I bought at The Bay).
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
I went to see the Tyshawn Sorey Trio yesterday (he's an alumnus of my university). I've never been much of a jazz fan, but their performance was fantastic. If you have a chance to catch them, I really encourage you to do so.
#Jazz
www.tyshawnsorey.com
#Jazz
www.tyshawnsorey.com
Tyshawn Sorey
www.tyshawnsorey.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I went to see the Tyshawn Sorey Trio yesterday (he's an alumnus of my university). I've never been much of a jazz fan, but their performance was fantastic. If you have a chance to catch them, I really encourage you to do so.
#Jazz
www.tyshawnsorey.com
#Jazz
www.tyshawnsorey.com
Reposted by Scott McDonough
For reasons too complex to explain here, I wrote an Apple II program designed for Early Modern Age Catholics to determine if they're allowed to have sex with their wife, or if it'd be a sin.
Here's the video of it running.
Here's the video of it running.
October 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
For reasons too complex to explain here, I wrote an Apple II program designed for Early Modern Age Catholics to determine if they're allowed to have sex with their wife, or if it'd be a sin.
Here's the video of it running.
Here's the video of it running.