Plato's Stepchildren: Disability in Ptolemaic Egypt and the Hellenistic World

This talk examines the evidence of art, texts and skeletal remains, to give a brief overview of disability and bodily difference in ancient Egypt. By utilizing a disabled Egyptologist’s perspective, we will see that disabled people were part of the larger society in both the pharaonic and Ptolemaic periods. A further examination of these artefacts also helps illuminate the lives of disabled people from these time periods. Disability was incorporated into the religions of both the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, and was seen as a part of everyday life. This is an aspect of the ancient world which has largely been ignored by modern day historians, despite the evidence being there, resulting in an entire minority group being erased from history. Disabled people deserve to be seen, to see themselves reflected in, and to learn about our own history, including our own ancient history. Finally, this talk will also start to examine the dangers of interpreting the past from a solely non-disabled perspective, and help elucidate these lost disability narratives.

Dr. Alexandra F. Morris is a disabled Egyptologist, academic, and disability activist tying the past to the present. Her research is on disability in ancient Egypt, the Classical world, and inclusive museums. She holds many roles in academic, disability, heritage, and government sectors. She has cerebral palsy and dyspraxia.

Refreshments, drinks and snacks will be provided . We look forward to seeing you there!

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To request online access, please email phanley03@qub.ac.uk; for any other questions, please email cbrockbank01@qub.ac.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.