The Art of Forgetting

More about the book

The book delves into the Roman practice of memory sanctions, where elite citizens could be erased from public memory for perceived unworthiness. Harriet Flower offers a chronological overview of this phenomenon from archaic times to the second century A.D., examining its roots in Greek and Hellenistic influences within the broader Mediterranean context. By integrating literary texts, inscriptions, coins, and material evidence, the study provides valuable insights into the complexities of Roman political culture and societal values.