2016 Gratulatio: Sarah Pomeroy

Gratulatio: Sarah B. Pomeroy

 

Sarah Pomeroy, CUNY

            Audivimus Hortensiam, eloquentissimam Quinti Hortensii fiiiam, causam feminarum et constanter et feliciter egisse.[1] Haec doctissima et audacissima femina non solum constanter et feliciter, sed etiam ingeniose et memoria dignissime labores moresque, vitas gestaque, cogitationes scriptaque feminarum Graecarum Romanarumque illuminavit. Adepta gradum Artium Baccalaureae apud universitatem sequentem viam rationis,[2] adepta gradum Doctoris Philosophiae apud universitatem visuram lumen in divino lumine, [3] multos annos decoravit et domum eruditionis foventem futuri curam[4] et maiorem universitatem fultam munificentia urbis. Molita est novas res in studiis classicis edendo libro magni ponderis, de Deabus Scortis Uxoribus et Ancillis, et scribendis multis aliis, praecipue voluminibus de feminis Graecis diversorum locorum diversarumque aetatum. Transformavit quomodo incolas temporis praeteriti videremus, et in hoc modo nos omnes locuplevit . Plaudamus igitur Sarah B. Pomeroy

 

Judith P Hallett, University of Maryland, College Park

 

We have read that Hortensia, the most eloquent daughter of the orator Q. Hortensius Hortalus, pleaded the cause of women resolutely and successfully. This most learned and courageous woman has shed light on the labors and customs, lives and deeds, thoughts and writings of Greek and Roman women, not only resolutely and successfully, but also imaginatively and most memorably. After earning her BA from Barnard College and PhD from Columbia University, she brought renown and glory to Hunter College and the City University of New York, where she taught for many years. She revolutionized the study of classical antiquity with a book of immense significance, Goddesses, Whores, Wives and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity, and with many other important books on women dwelling in different parts and different eras of the ancient Greek world. She has changed how we view the denizens of the classical past, and in this way enriched us all.  Let us therefore applaud Sarah B. Pomeroy

[1] Valerius Maximus Dicta et Facta Mirabilia 8.3.3 Hortensia vero, Q. Hortensii filia, cum ordo matronarum gravi tributo a triumviris esset oneratus…causam feminarum apud triumviros et constanter et feliciter egit.

[2] (Greek) Hepomene toi logismoi, “Following the Way of Reason,” motto of Barnard College.

[3] In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen, motto of Columbia University.

[4] Mihi cura futuri, motto of Hunter College