Roman Era Political Corruption Endures in Our Times

 Prof. Skentzis Making a Presentation at the Library

Dennis Skentzis, Professor of History at Truman College, today gave a moving speech about the Roman writer Tacitus. The presentation, hosted by Ray Cosgrove library, was titled “Tacitus: Romans Behaving Badly. “

             “We had Skentzis last year and he made a well received presentation about the Greek civilization,” said, Leone McDermott, Assistant Professor and Library Chairperson, who presented Skentzis, “and we asked him, this year, to give equal time to the Romans.”

Interim President Lynn Walker Chats with Prof. Skentzis After the Speech

The presentation began at 2 p.m. and attracted over 60 attendees including staff, faculty and students. Professor Skentzis used slides and a documentary video to aid his speech. He described Tacitus, whose full name is not even known, as a Roman governor, senator, an orator and most of all, a historian, whose work has inspired many who came after him.

Students Self-serve Snacks and Refreshments After the Presentation

Tacitus, the Professor said, “Wrote about the history of bygone Roman Republic periods,” rather than the then ruling emperors to save his career from the wrath of imperial tyrants. He, however, noted it was also freer to write during imperial Rome than Republican times.

Skentzis highlighted similarities of Roman era decadence and culture of political corruption to our own times.

The presentation lasted a little over half an hour and refreshments, and snacks were served both before and after the speech.