Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 4h

Still not dead!

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 1d

www.wantedinrome.com/news/colosse...

Colosseum opens secret underground passageway used by Roman emperors

Visitors to the Colosseum can experience the same hidden path once walked by Emperor Commodus. The Colosseum Archaeological Park is opening a hidden underground passageway, dubbed the Tunnel of Commod...

www.wantedinrome.com

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 1d

I very much like the look of this.

www.wallpaper.com/architecture...

Explore the angular joys of Brutalist Scotland

New book, 'Brutal Scotland' chronicles one country’s relationship with concrete

www.wallpaper.com

Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 4d

Well, I think it’s time to open the Barolo.

Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 4d

www.dailyartmagazine.com/caravaggios-...

Caravaggio's Last Painting: The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula

In May 1610, Caravaggio completed The Martyrdom of St Ursula. Two months later, he was dead. Here is the story behind his last commission.

www.dailyartmagazine.com

Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 6d

On painfully slow and antiquated train,trying to write a conference abstract about teaching classics in prisons. Thus far, no references to Porridge or Foucault.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 7d

Final copy of the book arrived in electronic form. Hard copy to follow with publication in December. And have just embarked on something which should come to pass in the next two years and may just be the most difficult thing I’ve ever attempted.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 11d

secretldn.com/pompeii-imme...

Discover The Secrets And Stories Of An Ancient City Frozen In Time – A New Pompeii Exhibition Is Coming To London This Autumn

Journey into history and uncover the stories of a city frozen in time at this immersive Pompeii exhibition, coming to London this November.

secretldn.com

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 12d

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

AI analysis finds £71,000 painting dismissed as copy is a Caravaggio

Exclusive: Study gives 85.7% probability Badminton House version of The Lute Player is by 17th-century master

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Dr Mike Beer

Greek Myth Comix @greekmythcomix.bsky.social · 13d

It’s out in the world now, hopefully not getting lost on the way to its new home - in your hands.

YOU ARE ODYSSEUS is finally ending its journey from idea to book.

Illustration of Odysseus from the Title page of the paperback edition.

Odysseus, seen from behind, looking over the rail of his ship at the lands beyond the sea. Black and white illustration from You Are Odysseus.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 14d

Good news on the medical front. No likelihood of imminent death.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 16d

Generally yes,but its been suggested that the creatures may have helped in some way. I'm not completely convinced and it being a toy seems more likely. The Romans do like a sacred chicken though.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 16d

Possibly but I prefer the psychopomp explanation.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 16d

Today I’ve been reading up about a bronze chicken dating from the Roman period found as part of grave goods in a child’s grave in Cirencester.Speculation it was buried as a pyschopomp to take child’s soul to underworld.I need more of this sort of thing in my life and less Cicero.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 16d

Apparently it’s Negroni week. In my house, that’s every week.

www.negroniweek.com

Negroni Week: Sept 22-28, 2025

Join us this September as bars and restaurants around the world mix classic Negronis and Negroni variations in support of the Slow Food movement.

www.negroniweek.com

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 18d

www.theguardian.com/news/2025/se...

‘Resistance is when I put an end to what I don’t like’: The rise and fall of the Baader-Meinhof gang | Jason Burke

In the 1970s, the radical leftwing German terrorist organisation may have spread fear through public acts of violence – but its inner workings were characterised by vanity and incompetence

www.theguardian.com

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 18d

Prepping for Dr Mike’s bar to open. Tonight it’s Negronis (of course), Weissbier and Barolo, and a chance to catch up on Alien:Earth, which is the best thing I have seen on TV for quite a while.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 18d

Saturday afternoon in a large supermarket and I've seen various people wandering around in pyjamas.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 19d

Hopefully that’ll be something that comes up in discussions.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 19d

It’s Saturday morning, so once again I’ll be teaching. This morning it’s Alexander the Great: hero or villain?

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 19d

The joys of the Friday commute. Train cancelled this morning. Replacement taxi for 60 mile journey (one six-person taxi for the whole train: we had to fight for a space).There was actually a train for the return journey but jam packed and there was a drunken fight (not me).

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 21d

No I haven’t but definitely will.

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 21d

For the next two days I’ll be doing nearly four hours of teaching on one artefact: the Prima Porta Augustus, one of my favourite ancient statues. They’ll be horrified by polychromy, hopefully intrigued by dating issues and ready to debate the iconography (and challenge my views).

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 22d

www.dailyartmagazine.com/athena-in-ar...

Athena in Art: The Beautiful Warrior Goddess

Explore the fascinating image of Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and war, and learn about her significance in mythology and art.

www.dailyartmagazine.com

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Dr Mike Beer @mikebeer.bsky.social · 22d

At the doctor's surgery, waiting for follow-up tests for a hopefully non life threatening (or indeed life ending) condition.