SEEC-Canarias to Explore Tacitus’s Satirical Wit in Upcoming Classical Gathering
The Spanish Society for Classical Studies will host a lecture this Friday in La Laguna exploring the often-overlooked satirical irony used by the Roman historian Tacitus to critique power and the elite.
Classical history is often seen as a dry, academic subject, but it actually contains a sharp, satirical side that challenges its serious reputation. The Spanish Society for Classical Studies (SEEC-Canarias) plans to explore this hidden layer in the work of the Roman historian Tacitus during the next session of its 13th Classical Gatherings. While Tacitus is known for his complex writing, his talent for irony is often overlooked.
The event will take place this Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Glass Room of the former Convent of Santo Domingo in La Laguna. Professors José Juan Batista Rodríguez and Alejandro Martín Bolaños will lead the discussion, aiming to show that humor has been a key part of ancient literature since the time of Homer. They will argue that irony has always been used to critique power, tragedy, and the human condition. Specifically, they will examine how Tacitus used his Annals to mock the hypocrisy of the Roman elite, including the private lives of figures like Nero and the power struggles of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
The speakers bring a wealth of expertise to the topic. Batista Rodríguez is a veteran academic from the University of La Laguna with extensive international research experience, while Martín Bolaños represents a new generation of specialists in classical philology. The event is coordinated by a team including Jorge García Hernández, Alejandro Martín Bolaños, Julieta Valentina Bertoldi, and Víctor G. Hernández, with support from the La Laguna City Council’s Department of Culture.
This lecture series, which highlights the importance of the humanities in the Canary Islands, will wrap up on May 22. The final session will move to the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife to discuss the historical reality behind the "black legend" of Emperor Caligula. By hosting these talks, the organizers hope to show the public that ancient texts are more than just historical records—they are brilliant, critical, and often ironic works of literature.