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Dr Sarah Bremner

@brummieclassicist.bsky.social

230 followers 410 following 81 posts

Head of History & Politics, LCS | PhD Demosthenes, Ancient Athens, Democracy, Rhetoric, Oratory, Identity | Views My Own

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Nov 19

Had an awesome time chatting on the Titan Talks #podcast with Shrewsbury College Classical Civilisation students about how I started studying the #AncientWorld and my thoughts on Ancient and Modern #Oratory #Rhetoric and #Democracy open.spotify.com/episode/2Ttf...

Ancient Worlds, Modern Paths 3: Athenian Democracy

Titan Talks · Episode

open.spotify.com

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 7d

Weave wait unravel weave wait survive weave unravel wait weave wait hope trust weave

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 7d

@classicstober.bsky.social day 4 Shroud #ClassicsTober

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 8d

Busy day but trying to make sure I do my #ClassicsTober day 3 Graiai @classicstober.bsky.social

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 9d

@classicstober.bsky.social day 2 #Thanatos

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 10d

#ClassicsTober time #hypnos @classicstober.bsky.social

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 13d

An early start, but what a beautiful morning singing on BBC Radio 4 this morning for Sunday Worship with Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 17d

#AQA 1K display is starting to come together! #USA #teaching #Alevel #RiseofaSuperpower

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 20d

Don’t get me wrong - I’m devastated for Socrates and it demonstrates how Athens didn’t value its best advisers (and why Plato is so disappointed in democracy), but even Socrates himself says that he was in a polis where they all follow the rule of law, even when it ruled against him.

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 20d

Aristophanes was prosecuted by Cleon for embarrassing the city in a play, and he was not silenced - he went through the law process and continued to produce plays that criticised Cleon repeatedly

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 20d

The democracy was based on isonomia and isegoria. But that was not that they could speak with impunity. If you were accused of slander or libel you would be prosecuted in the courts. If you misled the assembly, you’d be held accountable. Satire was politically protected

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 20d

And no Socrates said himself that by Athenian law he was found guilty and refused to run away.

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 20d

Freedom of speech is ancient, freedom of satire is ancient. If you are not free to criticise leaders, it is not a democracy

Greek Myth Comix @greekmythcomix.bsky.social · 22d

A little poster for my classroom. A collection of Ancient Greek and Roman comedy but mostly tragedy masks depicted in ancient art.

A collection of comic and tragic masks from antiquity, with a Red Cross through the comic one. Text: if there’s no satire then it’s not a democracy

Reposted by Dr Sarah Bremner

Greek Myth Comix @greekmythcomix.bsky.social · 22d

A little poster for my classroom. A collection of Ancient Greek and Roman comedy but mostly tragedy masks depicted in ancient art.

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · 22d

Athenian Democracy was based on 2 principles: isegoria (right to speak) isonomia (equal in the law) but that did not absolve you from the consequences - you’d be prosecuted for libel/ slander, if you lied or gave poor advice that harmed the polis you’re accountable. It did not silence dissent.

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Sep 10

Closing today! 📣
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of this new chapter and join me in building a new and dynamic department to engage our historians and politicians! #Teaching #hiring #UKEd #Lichfield #history #politics #AQA
lichfieldcathedralschool.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies/De...

Vacancy Detail -SCH-LCS-0032 - SAMpeople Recruit

FaceEd

lichfieldcathedralschool.face-ed.co.uk

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Sep 7

Very excited to get my hands on the new book by Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb ‘The Scaffolding Effect’.

I LOVE their ‘What is History Teaching Now’ so cannot wait to read this and put it into action in my department!

Reposted by Dr Sarah Bremner

amy brown (spooky edition) @amybrown.xyz · Aug 22

this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like

Why should I write better when a machine can do it for me?
Because actually no one can do it for you, because your voice is unique among all the people on earth. Siri never petted a horse's neck. Alexa has never been ghosted by the captain of the football team. But you have lived, your heart is beating, you have suffered, and you have something important to say. It's a human's job, to use words, and whatever job you give to a machine, that part of your brain goes dark. Maybe it's worth it when it comes to remembering phone numbers and directions, but when that part of your brain that uses words goes dark, that's a vast area that's very close to your soul. Don't let some internet platform convince you that what you have to say and create isn't worthwhile. Words are the echo of your soul. Honing that echo matters.

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 14

One thing every student should hear (actually every person at every age)

Your best is always good enough.
No matter what.

It’s something my Dad always told me before every exam since I was little - if I can look in the mirror and know that I did my best, then that’s all anyone can ever ask of me.

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 8

#internationalcatday #Flo

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 6

Supporting the Bham Lit Fest 2025 with the awesome #punksandchancers x #blackcountrytype collab. Support our libraries! #BooksBab #LibrariesGiveUsPower

www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 5

The pod episode is a great way for me to introduce the topic - I’ll be sharing it with my Year 12s (their coursework is causes of the civil war) and then they can deep dive into reading. Ordering Jon’s books for the school library first thing in September!

Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 5

Bluesky is great, but what I really miss is what #TeacherTwitter used to be! Is it still out there? #HistoryTeacher #PoliticsTeacher #Teaching #UKteaching #KS3 #KS4 #KS5 #GCSE #AQA #Alevel #learning #pedagogy #resources #curriculum #teach

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 4

Thank you to the brilliant @emmasouthon.bsky.social for recommending @gregjenner.bsky.social You’re Dead to Me and @jonathanhealey.bsky.social new book. That’s my summer reading sorted on causes of the civil war for my Alevel history students.

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Dr Sarah Bremner @brummieclassicist.bsky.social · Aug 3

Beautiful Musica Deo Sacra Matins service at Tewkesbury Abbey yesterday, with a sunbeam streaming through.
I also thought, Margaret of Anjou was here! In 1471 a defeated Somerset & some Lancastrians sought Sanctuary here, but it was broken by the Yorkists. The abbey was purified & reconsecrated

Reposted by Dr Sarah Bremner

Rev. Dr. Liz Gloyn @lizgloyn.bsky.social · Jul 29

Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip.

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