This will be an illustrated lecture examining the lives and careers of pioneering women of
ancient world studies from 1683 to today, closing with a very particular concern aired at the
142nd Meeting of the American Philological Association in San Antonio this year. It will also
ask the question: are readings of the past subject to a gendered perspective?

Educated at the University of New England, Lea is Lecturer in Macquarie University’s Department of
Ancient History. With research interests on the politics of the Late Roman Republic, she is also chief
investigator of the Macquarie Dictionary of Roman Biography with her colleague Tom Hillard. Apart
from writing extensively on women’s roles in ancient history, Lea has also taken part in underwater
excavations at Caesarea Maritima in Israel and at Torone, northern Greece.

The lecture will be preceded by a short address on Beryl Rawson’s life and work by Bruce Marshall,
former Associate Professor at the University of New England. Bruce has been honorary secretary of
the Australasian Society for Classical Studies for almost 20 years, and was made a Member in the
Order of Australia this year for services to the humanities and education.

Supper in the Museum will follow, where our new items of merchandise will be on sale, all
proceeds of which help us acquire further items for the Museum.