Greek and Roman Studies in the College of the Humanities is proud to present the 2022 Rose Maguire Lecture, "Plagues, Past and Present" with Dr. Kyle Harper.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us an unfortunate reminder of the destabilizing potential of emerging infectious diseases. Plague and pestilence have been a part of the human past from the beginning to present, and this talk will explore what we know, don’t know, are learning, and might learn about pandemics in the Roman Empire. It will emphasize why the humanities in general and history in particular can help us understand and confront public health challenges.

Dr. Harper is the G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty, Professor of Classics and Letters, Senior Advisor to the President, and Provost Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma.