The Power of Small Things in the Roman World

Talk
Darkened bronze figurine of a mouse on its haunches, hunched over holding a round item.

Statuette of a Mouse, 1st century BCE, Roman (?). Bronze. Getty Museum. Gift of Barbara and Lawrence Fleischman

Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025

11am

Online

This is a past event.

About

Think of ancient Rome, and images of imposing sculptures or large-scale monuments might come to mind. Join classicist Emily Gowers, author of The Small Stuff of Roman Antiquity, for a different perspective. She explores the importance of “small things” revealed by Roman writers and ancient artifacts, including some of the tiny artworks in the Getty Villa’s collection. What do insignificant-seeming objects tell us about the physical and emotional needs of Romans who cherished, handled, and used them? Do they give us a special kind of access, or do they make us feel more distant from the past?

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