CMEMS Conference 2025
“Et tu, Brute?” – with these famous last words, Shakespeare’s Caesar encapsulates one of history’s most iconic acts of betrayal. From Brutus’ dagger to Judas’ kiss, stories of broken trust resonate across time and cultures. Yet, while betrayal has been widely studied in the social sciences, its historical dimensions – particularly in premodern contexts – remain underexplored.
When? June 30, 2025 from 9.00-17.00
Where? Expositieruimte, Harmoniegebouw (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
This conference, organized by graduate students of the Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies (CMEMS) programme at the University of Groningen, seeks to shed light on the personal and societal experiences of betrayal in premodern societies. Drawing on perspectives from history, literary studies, and classics, the event aims to understand how trust was conceptualized, how its violation was experienced, and how societies responded to such ruptures.
Rather than viewing betrayal solely through the lenses of treason or adultery, the conference adopts Larissa Tracy’s definition of ‘betrayal’ from her introduction in Treason: Medieval and Early Modern Adultery, Betrayal, and Shame, as an overarching term for any act that disrupts bonds of trust. Participants will examine a wide range of topics, from the emotional trauma caused by betrayal, to the changing perceptions and punishments of acts such as heresy, political treason, and infidelity across different historical contexts.
Consequently, through our different presentations and panel discussions we target questions such as: How did individuals cope with the shock, guilt, or shame that betrayal might bring? How did communities address and remember such acts? And what can these responses tell us about the moral and social fabric of premodern societies? By engaging with these questions, this conference will foster a deeper, interdisciplinary understanding of betrayal not just as a timeless human experience, but also as a historically and culturally specific phenomenon. All are welcome to join as audience and engage in discussions on June 30 from 9:00-17:00 at the Expositieruimte, Harmoniegebouw in Groningen.