From writing workshop
For the Festival of Ideas, the Haddon mounted a writing workshop in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Workshop leader Sue Butler asked participants to write imaginatively in response to books from the Haddon and objects from the Museum.
Here’s some of the writing.
Advice from a Bath-house Wall
By Cardinal Cox
I’ve seen them washing off the mud and then working up a sweat. The single centurions, senators ready to go out on the pull, the pater familias bringing sons for the steam. So wash the back of your neck; tip the attendant; avoid eye-contact with praetorian sergeants; don’t graffiti about Emperors in your own handwriting; throw beans for the lemure; keep a fresh pair of boots for your tomb and always, always, dust the household gods.
Fragment of marble carved with a lady. Possibly Roman (date unknown). Rome, Italy. T2002.26
A baker to a trencher
Round, well-made, useful, lasting wood — indeed
outlasting earthenware and bread.
But that’s the one rub. If you tried
to eat it breadwise you’d be barely fed.
Wooden trencher. Tudor. T2005.87
