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‘Power is invisible like the wind, but you see the trees move.’ This lecture seeks to explore aspects of the nature of the power of the Roman emperors and the ways in which they made their power visible. In particular, we will look at the important moment of a personal encounter between the emperor and his subject. Confronted with a very nervous man holding out a petition with shaking hand, Augustus barked, ‘Good heavens, you are like a man giving a bun to an elephant!’ It was probably meant as a joke, but it is not clear that it would have put the man completely at ease. Emperors could employ a whole range of styles, from the mateyness of Emperor Claudius to the basilisk stare of Constantius II who, on his entry to Rome, ‘looked neither to the right nor left, and did not spit or wipe his nose’. Along the way, we will find out why Tiberius banned kissing.

This lecture marks the retirement of Jeremy Paterson as Chair of the Public Lectures Committee. He has lectured in ancient history at Newcastle University for thirty seven years. The lecture draws upon his recent contribution to the volume, The Court and Court Society in Ancient Monarchies (Cambridge University Press), developed by the team of ancient historians at Newcastle University and edited by Professor Tony Spawforth.

Those attending are cordially invited to take a glass of wine with the speaker after the lecture.