Seminar "Voluntarium et naturale'? Slave Onomastics in Ancient Italy"

 On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the University of St Andrews' School of Classics will host a seminar titled 'Voluntarium et naturale'? Slave Onomastics in Ancient Italy, presented by Katherine McDonald from Durham University. The event is scheduled from 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm in Room SO3, located on the ground floor of the School of Classics.

In this seminar, McDonald will critically examine the naming conventions of enslaved individuals in ancient Italy, drawing upon Latin, Etruscan, and Oscan sources. While it's acknowledged that the prevalence of 'Greek' names among Italian slaves doesn't necessarily reflect their actual origins, assumptions about Greek or Eastern backgrounds often persist. Using Varro's assertion that slaves' names were voluntarium (chosen) rather than naturale (innate) as a foundation, McDonald will explore instances of slave names that deviate from conventional expectations, shedding light on the lived experiences of the enslaved.

For those unable to attend in person, the seminar will be accessible online via Microsoft Teams. To receive the meeting link, interested participants should subscribe to the Classics seminar mailing list by emailing selby-sympa@st-andrews.ac.uk with "subscribe classics-ressem" in the subject line.

This event is part of the School of Classics' ongoing seminar series, which features a diverse range of topics related to ancient history and culture. The seminars are open to all, fostering an inclusive environment for learning and discussion.

For further information please contact classcon@st-andrews.ac.uk