ABOUT THIS EPISODE
From the courts of imperial Rome to the modern workplace, rumor and gossip is endemic in human civilization. But what gives rumor and gossip its destructive power, and how can we defend ourselves against its effects?
In this episode of CARP Radio, we're joined by Dr. Caillan Davenport, Professor of Classics and Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University and author of "Behind Caesar's Back": Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors. Dr. Davenport's book explores how ancient rumor and gossip spread through surprisingly well-developed networks of oral communication, taking down (and elevating) emperors, politicians, and other public figures in the process.
In this conversation, Dr. Davenport explains the difference between rumor and gossip, why some pieces of gossip fade away while others become full-blown scandals, and the methodological challenges posed by studying the ancient world. He also discusses how studying rumor and gossip in the ancient world helps us understand these phenomena today, and reveals how one ill-judged response to one’s critics might live in infamy in the historical record forever.
Show Notes:
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In this season of CARP Radio, we'll be looking to the scandals of the past for wisdom we can take into the future. For more updates on our work, visit our website and on the social media platforms of your choice.
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