On Feb. 16, the history department will present a colloquium featuring Archeological Institute of America lecturer Rhodora Vennarucci. She will cover how Roman women fashioned their social status as they shopped conspicuously in public for slippers on one of Pompeii’s main streets. The lecture is free and open to the public, and will be held in room 117 of the Administration Building from 12–1 p.m.

Vennarucci is an assistant professor of classical studies and art history at the University of Arkansas. She earned her doctoral and master’s degrees in Roman archaeology from the University of Buffalo and her bachelor’s degree in classical archaeology from the University of Michigan. She has taught twice at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, Italy, and is a recipient of the J. Williams Fulbright College of Arts and Science’s Master Teaching Award. 

Vennarucci’s main research focus lies in the socio-economic history of the Roman world. She is currently the scientific director and co-principal investigator of the Virtual Roman Retail project that is working with immersive virtual reality technology to put sensory archaeology into practice and explore how shop environments may have shaped ancient consumer experience and behavior. She has also contributed to projects investigating rural Roman settlements and homes.

This colloquium will be held in the Administration Building, at 204 S. College Ave., College Place.

Posted Feb. 5, 2024.