Liam Preston
Department: Classics and Ancient History
Discipline: Classics and Ancient History
Research Centre/Unit: College of Humanities
Project Summary
Pain for Pleasure: Exploring Epiucrean ethical ideas in the Literature of the Neronian Period
My research explores how three key texts from the Neronian period: Lucan’s Pharsalia, Petronius’ Satyricon and Seneca’s Epistles have utilised Epicurean ethics. The Neronian Period is thought of to be one which is dominated by Stoicism, but the constant usage of Epicureanism by these authors suggests that this statement should be reconsidered.
The project allows me to combine my interest in Neronian Latin literature and ancient philosophy. The project is generously funded by the Bob and Sandy Jessett PhD Studentship.
Supervisory Team
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Katharine Earnshaw.
Secondary Supervisor: Dr. Gabriele Galluzzo.
Wider Research Interests
My BA thesis concerned the Callimachean aesthetics within Phaedrus' Fables and my MA thesis concerned how (and if) Seneca's Epistles can be read chronologically.
Outside of Seneca's Epistles, I enjoy his other works - especially Thyestes and the Apocolocyntosis. Lucretius' De Rerum Natura is also of great interest to me, as are the works of Philodemus.
I also have an interest in the concept of translation and the various translation theories.
