Faculty Books

Classicism and Other Phobias

Dan-el Padilla Peralta ’06

The word “classical” is associated with Ancient Greece and Rome, but what about Black works, culture, and history? Padilla Peralta argues that classicism as we know it fails to honor the value of Black life. Pulling from past W.E.B. Du Bois Lectures — delivered at Harvard and first created in 1981 — this book examines how the field of classics excludes Blackness. A Black classicist himself, Padilla Peralta questions how to address this issue as he explores a variety of poetry, writing, and art. Classicism and Other Phobias (Princeton University Press) starts a conversation that challenges the status quo and uplifts the value of Black life.

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Rudolf II

Thomas Kaufmann

This new treatment of the infamous late 16th century Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II seeks to rewrite the mythical narratives of the past, presenting evidence that the king was neither a recluse nor a madman. The book explores the Hapsburg king’s interest in government, as well as his legendary “kuntskammer” (curiosity cabinet). In Rudolf II (The University of Chicago Press), Kaufmann also explores Rudolf’s greater role as a patron of the arts during the latter half of the Renaissance.