What Would Agrippina Do?

ðespite the innumerable losses associated with the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, this article relates the Presidential Address more or less as I presented it on January 4, 2020 at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Classical Studies and the Archaeological Institute of America.¹ It is a historical piece, reflecting events and changes during my year as the 2019 President of the Society for Classical Studies, my own research, and some thoughts about Classical Studies now and in the future. My recent research has been on Rome’s imperial women, and I will soon begin a biography of Agrippina the Younger, who was intimately part of Rome’s imperial power during her life from 15 to 59 c.e.² Thus when asked some months ago for a title for my Presidential Address I cheekily proposed “What Would Agrippina Do?” By this, I mean not to mock the well-known “What Would Jesus Do?” but rather to signal my fascination with Agrippina and to assert the continuing relevance of Classical Studies today.

What Would Agrippina Do? The title should alike convey that I have never taken myself too seriously, and nod to the exemplary position I have found myself in this last year. I do not consider myself ambitious for power and domination, as was Agrippina the Younger, at least as consistently portrayed. I am happily with my first and only husband; neither of our sons is a Nero; and I aspire to lead by being positive and kind. Yet here I am speaking before you as the 2019 SCS President, an eminent position Agrippina would have coveted. What would she have done as SCS President? The year saw numerous challenges stemming from the 150^th Annual Meeting in San Diego, at the end of which I assumed my position. Critical issues demanded leadership and decisions,³ quite a jolt for someone who never expected to be elected and who is generally conflict-averse. Yet despite its bitter beginning, the year has marked steady movement forward for the SCS, attesting to the strength of our organization and the dedication of our colleagues. I am forever grateful to our Executive Director Helen Cullyer; to the consilium principis of outgoing President Joe Farrell and President-Elect Bridget Murnaghan; to the SCS Board of Directors and committee members; and to those of you who have steadfastly volunteered your perspectives and help.

The incidents at San Diego, so damaging to individuals and the SCS as a whole, precipitated changes within our organization. Throughout 2019 we expanded earlier initiatives and added others to better answer to our constituency and our mission. Although the changes detailed below (and others not mentioned here) may be in different directions than some might like and certainly fall short of the need, anything that anyone finds praiseworthy is due to our colleagues and the vigor of the SCS overall. Starting with our Annual Meeting and Program, our most recognizable sites, I list some highlights:

1. 1. The SCS and AIA now have a joint statement and policy aimed at reducing incidents of harassment, discrimination, and assault at the Annual Meeting. Simply to register for the Meeting participants must agree to adhere to the policy while at the conference.

2. 2. In addition to hosting an increased number of meetings of smaller groups representing professional and personal interests alike, the 2020 SCS program specifically includes opportunities for collective thought about vital questions concerning the nature and future of our field, including “White Supremacy and the History and Future of Classics,” “If Classics is for Everybody, Why Isn’t Everybody in My Class? Building Bridges and Opening Doors to the Study of Classics,” “Classics and Civic Activism,” and “Classics Graduate Education in the 21^st Century.” The Annual Meetings of 2021 and 2022 will feature two linked Presidential Panels on race, racism, and the field of classical studies.

3. 3. Newly revised guidelines from our Program Committee specifically urge panel organizers to be attentive to diversity and inclusion on their panels. We have also articulated more transparent and fair guidelines for our panel moderators.

4. 4. We offer more education about...