Tuesday Talks/DwD: Week 3

28 October 2025 

18:20-21:00, Reuben Dining Hall 

Why Is Amazon’s Alexa Named Alexa? The Curious Case of Our Relationship With Antiquity

In this talk, Prof Michael Scott (Professor of Classics & Ancient History and Pro-Vice-Chancellor International, University of Warwick) explores how and why our modern society is still inextricably linked with the Ancient Greece and Rome.

He will expose the surprisingly recent origins of our engagement with antiquity, explore its positive and negative impacts across fields as diverse as politics, science, and social media, and discuss how this relationship might evolve in the future. From this, Prof Scott will highlight what continues to make the past such an important part of our present.

Speaker: Prof Michael Scott

To attend the dinner, you must attend the prior seminar. 

Members (students and Fellows) are welcome to invite up to 5 paying guests to each of these events.  

Menu

Vegetarian Option:

Soya & Mixed Bean Lasagna       

Meat Option

Beef Shin Lasagna     

Dessert

Tiramisu

2025-26 Prices

Reuben Student and Reuben Fellow: Free of charge

Student Guest: £18

Non-Student Guest: £20

College Hospitality: Free of charge

Tickets and guest tickets can only be booked by Reuben members, guests must attend the talk with a Reuben member. Full terms and conditions can be found here: please read before booking place at event.