Karen Spence | University of Leicester (original) (raw)
Papers by Karen Spence
The epidemic that killed Pericles: contextual and paleopathological analysis of the 5th century B... more The epidemic that killed Pericles: contextual and paleopathological analysis of the 5th century BCE Plague of Athens via primary resources and modern DNA sequence-based identification strategies of dental pulp from a mass grave at Kerameikos. A novel offering of compelling evidence of Avian Influenza as the causative agent of the Plague of Athens.:
The 5th Century Plague of Athens saw the deaths of one third of the Athenian population including the leader Pericles while under siege during the Peloponnesian War. The causative pathogenic agent remains a mystery 2,500 years later. A methodology encompassing both the critically assessed historical accounts and validated scientific techniques is recommended. Thucydides, a contemporary writer and survivor, provides the best known clinical observations of the symptomology of the Plague as well as the historical context surrounding it. Additionally, ancient DNA extraction is quickly allowing the story to unfold. The utility of dental pulp in reporting on septicemic pathogens from archaeological contexts has substantial potential for identifying unknown pathogen agents, as teeth are often natural reservoirs of disease posthumously. The conditions, including political decisions that created the conditions necessary for propagated outbreak, are examined. A thorough analysis of the dental pulp study that has so far been carried out from a mass grave will be critiqued and an alternative explanation for its scientifically sound findings confirming the presence of Salmonella enteric serovar Typhi will be discussed. An in-depth analysis of alternative pathogens will be examined. Lastly, evidence for my own theory will be advanced regarding the causative agent of the Plague of Athens. It is strongly suggested that Avian Influenza, a zoonotic disease, is responsible for the observed deaths of the Athenians under siege. Further studies, especially those utilizing ancient dental pulp, would help to confirm this theory.
Considers whether the Roman garum trade between Hispania and Britannia was via the annona mechani... more Considers whether the Roman garum trade between Hispania and Britannia was via the annona mechanism through investigation of transport amphorae. Note: illustrations are not included, please email me if needed.
Analyzes the value of ethnographic analogy. Takes a skeptical stance against ethnographic analogy.
Explains complications regarding comparison of landscape survey data from different projects. Foc... more Explains complications regarding comparison of landscape survey data from different projects. Focuses on Italy. Optimistic for the future especially with the advances in technology.
Review of different scholarly perspectives on Ostia and Portus.
Short paper regarding British Bronze age artefact provenance. Trace element analysis of an artif... more Short paper regarding British Bronze age artefact provenance. Trace element analysis of an artifact is not the archaeological compass it may once have been thought.
Explores the significance of electronic resources for epigraphic research. Emphasis on Latin epig... more Explores the significance of electronic resources for epigraphic research. Emphasis on Latin epigraphy, also the use of GIS at Pompeii to analyze graffiti.
1000 word summary of a much longer presentation given personally in Athens, 2011 at Hadrian's Li... more 1000 word summary of a much longer presentation given personally in Athens, 2011 at Hadrian's Library regarding Hadrian's 1CE public building program in Athens. Most unique is the section about the aqueduct/ water supply. Awarded a Distinction.
Talks by Karen Spence
"I am honored to be invited to participate as a presenter at the AIRC's Second Annual Unlisted Co... more "I am honored to be invited to participate as a presenter at the AIRC's Second Annual Unlisted Conference on Archaeological Cultural Heritage in Rome on March 23-24, 2012.
It is clear that the lack of media visibility of unlisted or forgotten archaeological sites is a contributor to their unfortunate status. Over the last twenty-five years, technology has changed the way that people gather and disseminate information for the purposes of education, curiosity, networking and entertainment. Archaeological sites are thus presented with a social media platform via the internet that could aid them in enhancing their presence to the public at large, a worldwide audience often eager to learn but in need of guidance toward finding what some may call ‘forgotten’. A combination of properly constructed websites, free social media, and a basic protocol that explicitly explains strategies that ensure that a representative website is easily found by searchers is the key toward increasing visibility. The AIRC and Karen M. Spence, an SEO professional who is completing her MA in Classical Mediterranean Archaeology, are working toward creating a step-by-step guide geared specifically toward the administrators and/or designers of websites that aim to promote archaeology as well as entities seeking to commercialize archaeological sites worldwide. The self-help guide will aim to increase the knowledge base for site visibility and overcome the often prohibitive costs associated with professional search engine optimization. Additionally, the AIRC and Ms. Spence have recently agreed to collaborate in overhauling the organization’s website www.romanculture.org in order to set an example of proper optimization as well as to provide the public with an all informative, inclusive guide to Rome for the purposes of learning, tourism and entertainment. The website will espouse the most modern SEO techniques available and will showcase the AIRC’s profoundly informative mini-documentaries. "
Books by Karen Spence
The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family, Karenmspence@hotmail.com, 2025
The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family offers a fresh perspe... more The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family offers a fresh perspective, going beyond the surface to uncover the real-life context and historical inspirations behind the story. Scene by scene, it explores:
* The authentic mafia history, individuals, and events that served as the foundation for Mario Puzo's compelling narrative
* Insights into the Italian-American experience and the American Dream portrayed in the films
* The mafia's influence on Hollywood, Cuba, and Las Vegas, and its connection to the storyline
* A comparison between the novel, the cinematic adaptation and script drafts, highlighting differences and similarities
* Michael Corleone's journey in post-war Sicily and its ties to World War II and Mafia operations
* Intriguing details about filming locations, including rare photos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes
* Answers to common questions about the films, along with director's notes and production drama
* Frank Sinatra and other celebrity associations with the films
* Untold stories and details not read elsewhere
Well-researched and with detailed analysis, The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family caters to fans seeking a deeper understanding of The Godfather universe, shedding light on untold stories and providing invaluable insights into the cinematic masterpiece.
The Godfather Lover's Guide to Sicily., 2025
Karenmspence@hotmail.com. Honour and dishonour. Loyalty and betrayal. Love and loss. Exile. Re... more Karenmspence@hotmail.com.
Honour and dishonour. Loyalty and betrayal. Love and loss. Exile. Revenge. Light and dark. This, set against the background of mountaintop villages, baroque churches, and the sun-drenched landscapes of Sicily, makes The Godfather film series a work of enduring art considered by many to be the greatest films of all time. The cinematic heritage of the films’ locations is as visually and historically savoury as an Italian feast, as sweet as cannoli. Yet a formal guide to follow in the films’ footsteps has never been published! Much of the online information is fragmented, incomplete and often completely wrong. This book changes that, explaining the in-depth history and exact locations of the film sites and tailored to both tourists and film connoisseurs alike. Written by a Mediterranean archaeologist and well-studied Godfather superfan of several decades, everything needed for a Godfather aficionado to experience Sicily for themselves is included. This book is an extensively researched and trusted resource for both the traveller (armchair or otherwise) and anyone interested in understanding the history and lore surrounding the filming locations. It may even inspire casual tourists to convert into Godfather film fans themselves. Film facts and scene analysis are presented and suggested side trips are included along with tidbits of cultural information and 120 photos.
The epidemic that killed Pericles: contextual and paleopathological analysis of the 5th century B... more The epidemic that killed Pericles: contextual and paleopathological analysis of the 5th century BCE Plague of Athens via primary resources and modern DNA sequence-based identification strategies of dental pulp from a mass grave at Kerameikos. A novel offering of compelling evidence of Avian Influenza as the causative agent of the Plague of Athens.:
The 5th Century Plague of Athens saw the deaths of one third of the Athenian population including the leader Pericles while under siege during the Peloponnesian War. The causative pathogenic agent remains a mystery 2,500 years later. A methodology encompassing both the critically assessed historical accounts and validated scientific techniques is recommended. Thucydides, a contemporary writer and survivor, provides the best known clinical observations of the symptomology of the Plague as well as the historical context surrounding it. Additionally, ancient DNA extraction is quickly allowing the story to unfold. The utility of dental pulp in reporting on septicemic pathogens from archaeological contexts has substantial potential for identifying unknown pathogen agents, as teeth are often natural reservoirs of disease posthumously. The conditions, including political decisions that created the conditions necessary for propagated outbreak, are examined. A thorough analysis of the dental pulp study that has so far been carried out from a mass grave will be critiqued and an alternative explanation for its scientifically sound findings confirming the presence of Salmonella enteric serovar Typhi will be discussed. An in-depth analysis of alternative pathogens will be examined. Lastly, evidence for my own theory will be advanced regarding the causative agent of the Plague of Athens. It is strongly suggested that Avian Influenza, a zoonotic disease, is responsible for the observed deaths of the Athenians under siege. Further studies, especially those utilizing ancient dental pulp, would help to confirm this theory.
Considers whether the Roman garum trade between Hispania and Britannia was via the annona mechani... more Considers whether the Roman garum trade between Hispania and Britannia was via the annona mechanism through investigation of transport amphorae. Note: illustrations are not included, please email me if needed.
Analyzes the value of ethnographic analogy. Takes a skeptical stance against ethnographic analogy.
Explains complications regarding comparison of landscape survey data from different projects. Foc... more Explains complications regarding comparison of landscape survey data from different projects. Focuses on Italy. Optimistic for the future especially with the advances in technology.
Review of different scholarly perspectives on Ostia and Portus.
Short paper regarding British Bronze age artefact provenance. Trace element analysis of an artif... more Short paper regarding British Bronze age artefact provenance. Trace element analysis of an artifact is not the archaeological compass it may once have been thought.
Explores the significance of electronic resources for epigraphic research. Emphasis on Latin epig... more Explores the significance of electronic resources for epigraphic research. Emphasis on Latin epigraphy, also the use of GIS at Pompeii to analyze graffiti.
1000 word summary of a much longer presentation given personally in Athens, 2011 at Hadrian's Li... more 1000 word summary of a much longer presentation given personally in Athens, 2011 at Hadrian's Library regarding Hadrian's 1CE public building program in Athens. Most unique is the section about the aqueduct/ water supply. Awarded a Distinction.
"I am honored to be invited to participate as a presenter at the AIRC's Second Annual Unlisted Co... more "I am honored to be invited to participate as a presenter at the AIRC's Second Annual Unlisted Conference on Archaeological Cultural Heritage in Rome on March 23-24, 2012.
It is clear that the lack of media visibility of unlisted or forgotten archaeological sites is a contributor to their unfortunate status. Over the last twenty-five years, technology has changed the way that people gather and disseminate information for the purposes of education, curiosity, networking and entertainment. Archaeological sites are thus presented with a social media platform via the internet that could aid them in enhancing their presence to the public at large, a worldwide audience often eager to learn but in need of guidance toward finding what some may call ‘forgotten’. A combination of properly constructed websites, free social media, and a basic protocol that explicitly explains strategies that ensure that a representative website is easily found by searchers is the key toward increasing visibility. The AIRC and Karen M. Spence, an SEO professional who is completing her MA in Classical Mediterranean Archaeology, are working toward creating a step-by-step guide geared specifically toward the administrators and/or designers of websites that aim to promote archaeology as well as entities seeking to commercialize archaeological sites worldwide. The self-help guide will aim to increase the knowledge base for site visibility and overcome the often prohibitive costs associated with professional search engine optimization. Additionally, the AIRC and Ms. Spence have recently agreed to collaborate in overhauling the organization’s website www.romanculture.org in order to set an example of proper optimization as well as to provide the public with an all informative, inclusive guide to Rome for the purposes of learning, tourism and entertainment. The website will espouse the most modern SEO techniques available and will showcase the AIRC’s profoundly informative mini-documentaries. "
The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family, Karenmspence@hotmail.com, 2025
The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family offers a fresh perspe... more The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family offers a fresh perspective, going beyond the surface to uncover the real-life context and historical inspirations behind the story. Scene by scene, it explores:
* The authentic mafia history, individuals, and events that served as the foundation for Mario Puzo's compelling narrative
* Insights into the Italian-American experience and the American Dream portrayed in the films
* The mafia's influence on Hollywood, Cuba, and Las Vegas, and its connection to the storyline
* A comparison between the novel, the cinematic adaptation and script drafts, highlighting differences and similarities
* Michael Corleone's journey in post-war Sicily and its ties to World War II and Mafia operations
* Intriguing details about filming locations, including rare photos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes
* Answers to common questions about the films, along with director's notes and production drama
* Frank Sinatra and other celebrity associations with the films
* Untold stories and details not read elsewhere
Well-researched and with detailed analysis, The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family caters to fans seeking a deeper understanding of The Godfather universe, shedding light on untold stories and providing invaluable insights into the cinematic masterpiece.
The Godfather Lover's Guide to Sicily., 2025
Karenmspence@hotmail.com. Honour and dishonour. Loyalty and betrayal. Love and loss. Exile. Re... more Karenmspence@hotmail.com.
Honour and dishonour. Loyalty and betrayal. Love and loss. Exile. Revenge. Light and dark. This, set against the background of mountaintop villages, baroque churches, and the sun-drenched landscapes of Sicily, makes The Godfather film series a work of enduring art considered by many to be the greatest films of all time. The cinematic heritage of the films’ locations is as visually and historically savoury as an Italian feast, as sweet as cannoli. Yet a formal guide to follow in the films’ footsteps has never been published! Much of the online information is fragmented, incomplete and often completely wrong. This book changes that, explaining the in-depth history and exact locations of the film sites and tailored to both tourists and film connoisseurs alike. Written by a Mediterranean archaeologist and well-studied Godfather superfan of several decades, everything needed for a Godfather aficionado to experience Sicily for themselves is included. This book is an extensively researched and trusted resource for both the traveller (armchair or otherwise) and anyone interested in understanding the history and lore surrounding the filming locations. It may even inspire casual tourists to convert into Godfather film fans themselves. Film facts and scene analysis are presented and suggested side trips are included along with tidbits of cultural information and 120 photos.