How to Party in Pompeii, with Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins

British Library Food Season

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This event took place on 22 June 2026

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How to Party in Pompeii, with Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins
British Library Food Season

Watch event again now

This event took place on 22 June 2026

The celebrated classicists dig into the food of the Romans. From elegant dinners in glamorous outdoor dining rooms (stuffed dormice optional) to down-and-dirty street food in back alley bars, the archaeology of Pompeii offers an unparalleled glimpse into the gastronomy of the Romans, all the way up and down the social scale. Join legendary classicist Mary Beard and Guardian journalist and cultural commentator Charlotte Higgins for a live recording of their podcast Instant Classics, and learn how to party, the Pompeiian way. This event is part of Food Season 2026.

Speakers

Mary Beard

Mary Beard is a Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Newnham College. The author of numerous books and articles (including Pompeii: Life of a Roman Town, which won the Wolfson Prize for History), she is a Fellow of the British Academy and a regular contributor to both radio and television.

Charlotte Higgins

Charlotte Higgins is the chief culture writer of the Guardian. Her current focus is the war in Ukraine; a regular column on the Opinion pages; and longform articles. Specialising in the arts, she is particularly interested in subjects where culture, politics and society meet.