Lunch and Learn: Symmetries & Statuettes

Join us for this month's Lunch & Learn, where you'll have the chance to socialize with other grad students and hear talks by students in Mathematics & Classics. For those who are unable to join in person or who would prefer to attend virtually, we will also offer a livestream available through Zoom webinar.

When signing up, you will be asked to select whether you would like to attend in-person or virtually. Location information and Zoom link will be provided once you RSVP.

"Symmetries and curvature, a geometric perspective"
Fabio Ricci, Mathematics

In this presentation, I will introduce the isoperimetric problem, a fascinating challenge with its origins tied to the legendary founding of Carthage by Queen Dido. According to the legend, she sought as much land as could be encompassed by a bull's hide, which she cut into long, thin strips. This led to the circular shape of the city of Carthage, as the largest area bounded by a curve of fixed length is a circle. My research delves into the complexities of the isoperimetric problem in 'curved' spaces. Finding a general answer is elusive, necessitating additional conditions. Specifically, I concentrate on cases where we can impose restrictions on the curvature, enabling us to quantitatively compare analytic objects of curved space with their corresponding counterparts in the more familiar flat space.

"Cypro-Archaic Terracottas and Multicultural Identities at Naukratis, Egypt"
Allene McDaniel Seet, Classics

Naukratis, Egypt was a thriving trade community during the archaic period of the Mediterranean, where communities from Greece, Egypt, Phoenicia, and elsewhere interacted, forming and negotiating identities. This is particularly evident in the religious sphere of Naukratis, where Greek and Egyptian sanctuaries coexisted and bear evidence of dedications from a variety of backgrounds. This talk examines the Cypro-Archaic terracotta figurines from the Sanctuary of Aphrodite as evidence for multicultural religious practices and identity formation at Naukratis, as well as the issues inherent in applying ethnic and cultural signifiers to material culture.

Note: Each talk will be recorded for personal use by the presenter, but no participant information or Q&A will be captured.

The GSRC is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request disability accommodation, please email Shawn Warner at shawnwarner@ucsb.edu.