The Lives of Cato the Younger from Ancient Rome to Modern America – Forthcoming Book Release

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Thomas Strunk

Just received the advance copy of my latest book, The Lives of Cato the Younger from Ancient Rome to Modern America. The Lives of Cato will be released on January 6, 2026. by University of Michigan Press.

Here’s the Table of Contents

I. Introduction: A Life of Cato the Younger
II. Pamphleteers and Slanderers: The Three Catos in the Age of Caesar
III. The Stoic Philosopher and the Radical Republican: Seneca and Lucan on Cato
IV. A Republican under the Caesars: Cato in the Writings of Tacitus and Plutarch
V. Sinner or Saint? Cato in Early and Medieval Christian Writers
VI. Cato of Utica Takes Center Stage: Cato in 18th Century European Drama
VII. Cato in the United States: Revolutionaries, Abolitionists, and Confederates
VIII. Conclusion: A Cato for the 21st Century

The author with the advance copy.

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Books by the Banks Cincinnati – The Courage to Share

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Thomas Strunk

Last week, I had a great opportunity to participate in a panel, “The Courage to Share,” at Books by the Banks, Cincinnati’s annual book festival. I was joined by fellow poets and panelists Manuel Iris, Desirae Hosley (The SilentPoet), and Mia Watka (Cincinnati Youth Poet Laureate).

When I think of the courage to to be an artist, I recall the closing lines of Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day:” “[I do know . . .] how to stroll through the fields, / which is what I have been doing all day. / Tell me, what else should I have done? / Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? / Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?”

We need the courage to claim our time (“stroll through the fields”), the courage to find our voice (“what is it you plan to do with you one wild and precious life), and the courage to share our work in the face of rejection (“Tell me”).

with fellow-panelist Manuel Iris, Cincinnati Poet Laureate Emeritus

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The Lives of Cato the Younger from Ancient Rome to Modern America

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Thomas Strunk

My latest book, The Lives of Cato the Younger from Ancient Rome to Modern America, will be released on January 6, 2026. by University of Michigan Press.

The Lives of Cato traces the reception and influence of Cato from his suicide at the fall of the Roman Republic to the twenty-first century. In preferring death to Julius Caesar’s dictatorship, Cato became a symbol of resistance to tyrannical rulers during the Roman Empire. Later Cato would inspire American General George Washington and his soldiers at Valley Forge, as well as Abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass, who invoked Cato and his revolutionary spirit. This is the first book to provide an in-depth study of Cato and his lasting influence.

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Reading at Poetry and Song Series

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Thomas Strunk

I’ll be reading at the Poetry & Song Series at the Falcon Theatre on February 15th, 2024. I’ll be reading poems from my collection Transfigurations as well as some new material. There will also be some wonderful music by Raison D’Etre and Freddy Bradburn. Show starts at 7pm, RSVP at rls@raison3.com.

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Transfigurations Poetry Reading at Sitwell’s 9/5/23

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Thomas Strunk

In two weeks, Tuesday Sept. 5th, I’ll be reading from my poetry collection Transfigurations along with some newer poems. I’ll be joined by the wonderful poet Dick Westheimer. Open mic begins at 7:00. Come and read your work or just enjoy listening.

 

 

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Quintilian: The Latin Teacher Podcast

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Thomas Strunk

In July, I appeared on Ryan Sellers’ Quintilian: The Latin Teacher Podcast to talk about Cincinnati, Bob Dylan and the classical tradition, and lessons from the fall of the Roman Republic for the American people. Listen to the interview here:

Quintilian: The Latin Teacher Podcast: 30. Thomas Strunk on Apple Podcasts

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Transfigurations – Poems by Thomas E. Strunk

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Thomas Strunk

I’m happy to announce that Main Street Rag Press will be publishing my poetry collection Transfigurations. This collection of poems, mostly written in the last couple years, reckons with loss and celebrates renewal. A few sample poems are available on my author’s webpage along with information on ordering advance copies.          Transfigurations / Thomas E. Strunk | Main Street Rag (mainstreetragbookstore.com)         

 

 

 

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Paperback release – On the Fall of the Roman Empire: Lessons for the American People

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Thomas Strunk

Anthem Press has just released the paperback edition of my book On the Fall of the Roman Republic: Lessons for the American People.  Bonus material is available on my blog LiberationNow.org.

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Cato, the Confederacy, and Lost Causes

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Thomas Strunk

On January 6, 2022, I will be delivering my paper “Cato, the Confederacy, and Lost Causes,” which focuses on the appropriation of Cato the Younger by Southerners late in the Civil War and in the Jim Crow Era; the paper will be presented at the Society for Classical Studies conference.  The last time I delivered a paper at the Society for Classical Studies was last year on January 6, 2021.  I gave the paper on Zoom in the morning and then went downstairs and turned on the news to watch in horror the attempted coup to disrupt the certification of the presidential election.  I mention this not only because this is personally memorable but also because it is germane to my presentation topic, which addresses the attempt to use the past to reshape the present via a myth, a lie – the Lost Cause.

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Domitian’s Lightning Bolts and Close Shaves in Pliny

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Thomas Strunk

Strunk, Thomas E.  “Domitian’s Lightning Bolts and Close Shaves in Pliny.” Classical Journal 109.1 (Oct./Nov., 2013): 88–113.

Temple of Vespasian Dedicated by Domitian, photo by Thomas E. Strunk, Forum Romanum

Pliny’s portrayal of his public life under Domitian has often come under fire from both thosewho approach Pliny’s Letters from a historical perspective and those who study them as a literary production. This article reevaluates Pliny’s experiences in five significant areas: public speaking, amicitia, political promotion, threats of political persecution, and survival and reconciliation. In all of these circumstances, Pliny is found to be an honest narrator of his own political struggles under Domitian and an eloquent voice for his generation’s endurance.

 

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