A free public lecture will explore the impact of the Roman empire on its nomadic neighbours Tuesday, Sept. 24.

In his presentation “Hopes, Fears, and Raids in Roman Arabia,” classics professor Conor Whately of the University of Winnipeg will discuss a little known, but quite incredible body of writing from the ancient Mediterranean world, the tens of thousands of Safaitic graffiti found across the Black Desert in southern Syria and Jordan.

The graffiti provide invaluable insight into the lives, both inner and outer, of the nomadic people who lived on the fringes of the settled, urbanized Roman world from the first century BCE and the fourth CE.

Dr. Whately will focus particularly on references to the world of raiding, looking at what is revealed about the psychological impact on its practitioners and its victims.

His talk will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall. Refreshments will be served.