Briefly

[selenak]

Had a throuroughly exhausting week, and am barely coherent. Which is a good mood to dream yourself elsewhere. I wish I could visit this current exhibition at the British Museum about Nero, but no dice, who knows when I'll be able to visit England again. However, I do enjoy watching Mary Beard talk about it, as she does here, and want to share:

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[makamu]

Thank you for that link! Mary Beard is always a joy to watch and a delight to learn from.

[selenak]

You're welcome, and agreed!

[kore]

Mary!!

[liriaen]

Thanks for the info; I had no idea such a show was on in London. But yeah, chances of getting there (ever again?) seem slim...
It‘s funny, while I love Mrs Beard to bits, Mary-the-public-persona-quirky-scholarly-nanny!Beard sometimes almost threatens to gloss over the true extent of her knowledge. ;)
Oh this makes me wanna be in Rome now.

[selenak]

You're welcome. Re: Mrs Beard the book writer vs Mary the tv personality - whatever gets the job done in the medium in question, I think. And I do appreciate that she - female, grey haired, middle aged, without any concessions to make-up and hairstyling - became a popular and beloved presenter of historical knowledge on British tv (along with gathering hate from the usual suspects). Sure, you have men of all ages and body types managing that, but women?

[liriaen]

Absolutely, points taken. ...whatever gets the job done in the medium in question, and she subverts even that, the medium's expectations, by not subjecting herself to the ministrations of the make-up dpt, etc. - I might prefer the author, but that's a quibble compared to what her reach can do and does. [Lovely "Rome" icon, btw! :D]

[selenak]

Re: Rome icon - kathyh made it for me. And let me return the compliment regarding your Richelieu at La Rochelle icon!

[liriaen]

I loved that painting of the siege of La Rochelle to bits. But: whoooooot! You have a Richelieu as well?!!! I'm rapt.

[selenak]

Well, I am a long-term fan. :)

[liriaen]

I laughed so hard! Lovely 🖤 - And I more than share your pain, though mostly Borgia-wise on my end. Literally every tv violation sees me run and hide, spasming in deep throes of Fremdscham. Hell, if the product developers are in such bad need of complete moral outrage, why don't they turn to Pier-Luigi Farnese instead? ;)

[selenak]

There's undeniably that, but then again, I don't think Rodrigo Borgia would object too strongly against being portrayed by the likes of Jeremy Irons, a thousand inaccuracies not withstanding. :)

This said, someone ought to do something with the Farnese, to be sure. I'm planning on nominating 16th Century Habsburg RPF for Yuletide so I can request two of the Margarets - of Austria and of Parma -, and given her in-laws, Margaret of Parma certainly allows for all kind of Farnese cameos.

[liriaen]

portrayed by the likes of Jeremy Irons - despite the stringiness? *gg* I like the ropey bods, but a portly man of means was a portly man of means (except in summer when the heat killed them off...) :D

The Rape of Fano and Pier-Luigi dangling above Piacenza - how come TV series people aren't going apeshit yet? (Okay, I've answered that myself, I guess.)

But oh god, oh yes please, do nominate 16th century CE Habsburgs! That is a thing of brilliance. (Can I interest you in 8th century CE Charlemagne vs Tassilo III?)

[selenak]

Sorry, I've promised mildred_of_midgard to nominate 3rd Century Roman Emperors for her in a trade for her nominating more Habsburgs & associates for me, and my third nomination fandom will be 18th Century Fredericians again. However, I'm far from disinterested in the Carolingian era per se. Though I suppose I'd go for the Byzantium angle, i.e. Irene vs Karl.

[liriaen]

That is the loveliest theme swap brigandry I've heard of in a long time. Oh glorius fandom and the glorious people in it! <3

[selenak]

:) Details are here.

[liriaen]

Hell YES. Do let me know if you need any further Habsburg entourage et altri nominated! (dr_zook and I are still cackling like demented 14yr olds at Dürer's outrage at Margarete not approving of his painting of her daddio. And he so keen on the book of proportions by Jacopo de' Barbari that was in her possession!)

[selenak]

Well, since you ask: I've got my eye on three of Charles' siblings - Mary of Hungary, Ferdinand and Eleanor. And Germaine de Fox, in case anyone feels inclined to write about Charles and his stepgrandmother getting it on. :)

re: Dürer, LOL. Of course any cameo by Albrecht D. would also be welcome.

[liriaen]

I'll see what I can do! I still need to get my act together, nominations-wise, but there sould be elbow space.

[selenak]

Fabulous! Thank you so much.

[selenak]

Soooo, if you’re still up for it, you can now nominate Charles’ siblings and his stepgrandmother/lover: https://archiveofourown.org/tag_sets/8005

[liriaen]

Will do! There still is said space, next to „Cesare“ and the Dawn of the Agilolfings(TM). Oh god it can’t be Yuletide already can it?

[liriaen]

Done. I hope I got it right.

[selenak]

Awesome! *rubs hands* Now I can get at writing the fandom promo post. Also, if you do have the time, would you mind commenting with your nominations at the Yuletide Coordination Post?

[liriaen]

Ah, sure, will do - I already put it in the Spreadsheet.

[selenak]

Thank you, you're a treasure. Alas for clarity's purpose, though, I have to say "Eleanor of Castile" is misleading - that's Edward I's Queen as far as most of the English speaking world is concerned, who might also have a tag of her own. Therefore, I suggest "Eleanor of Austria" for Charles' sister.

I'm truly sorry for the additional trouble, given you're so generous to do this for me in the first place.

[liriaen]

No worries, it's good you had a look! I've changed it on all platforms. :D

[watervole]

I really like Mary Beard. Both for her knowledge and enthusiasm - and for not having fancy hair-dos, etc.

[lokifan]

Oh, thanks for the video, that was fascinating!

[selenak]

You're very welcome!