The 2026 Gaisford Lecture will be given by Professor Suzanne Marchand, Boyd Professor of European Intellectual History at Louisiana State University. It will take place at 5 pm on Thursday 21st May in the Lecture Theatre, Ioannou Centre.
Professor Marchand’s title is:
‘Herodotus in Pictures: Visualizing Stories from The Histories, 1500 to 1800’
Abstract: This paper explores three of the favorite scenes from The Histories chosen by painters between 1500 and 1800: Candaules and Gyges, the judgment of Cambyses, and Tomyris with the head of Cyrus. These scenes, it should be noted, all feature the behavior of kings and queens, and suggest good and bad behaviors, in ways that are not necessarily transparent to modern viewers. The lecture will also incorporate some material on contemporary dramas featuring these characters, and will be accompanied by extensive illustrations.
All are extremely welcome to the lecture, and to the drinks that will follow it. The lecture will be live-streamed (details to be announced).
