BLOG | damnatiomemoriae

Background image: A coin depicting the consul Sejanus, whose name has been counter-marked. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 27, 20183 min read

What is Damnatio Memoriae?

Damnatio memoriae, literally translated as “damnation of memory”, was practiced by earlier civilizations than even the Romans. For...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 26, 20183 min read

Above: A porphyry statue of a togatus, originally housed in the Curia Julia, a senate house in the Roman Forum. Wikimedia. Not much is...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 25, 20184 min read

Members of the Imperial family were often the target of damnatio memoriae. Above: An inscription to Julia Domna, the mother of Geta, from...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 25, 20184 min read

Above: An image of Agrippina Minor, the wife of Claudius, and a recipient of damnatio memoriae. Wikimedia Commons. In general, the...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 24, 20183 min read

The architecture of Rome was also subject to the consequences damnatio memoriae. Above: The ruins of the Villa Jovis located in Capri,...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 23, 20182 min read

Naturally, the attempted erasure of an individual bears consequences for those who attempt to study the period and its artifacts. Above:...

Cheryl Mackinnon

Feb 22, 20182 min read

Above: Artist's depiction of ancient Rome. Wikimedia Commons. The process of damnatio memoriae serves as a unique lens through which we...