Katie Turner

@katieturnerphd

Historian: 1st Century Material Culture | New Testament Reception | Religion & Pop-Culture | Clothing, Costume, Film Co-Host: www.GodsAndMoviemakers.com More about me: www.KatieTurnerPhD.com

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Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· 28d

The (Protestant) Christian impulse to focus on the internal state of one's soul and whether they sought forgiveness from God – rather than on the impact of their actions and whether they enacted repentance through repair – is how we end up here.

Post from Jamelle Bouie: "It is very funny the number of people who have replied to my column on Lindsey Graham with some version of 'but he was a nice guy!' Yeah, who cares."

Screenshot of text below that reads: "In striving to write with honesty, fairness, and in good faith, you might reconsider Lindsey Graham in light of two personal qualities: raising his sister and his modest net worth after years of public service. I have always thought arson easy and construction difficult."

Posted 15 July 2026

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jun 24

Honestly, I'm not sure. This is the description given:

"According to Pliny the Elder, it was a common sight in the countryside to see women spinning, both inside and outside a house. Spinning women may, however, not have been considered to be professional spinners as this could be a mere part of women’s ordinary, daily work routines in a household."

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jun 16

Absolutely love this from Ulrike Roth, “Thinking Tools” (p 57)

Gendering the Evidence
One of the problems with writing the female slave into the history of Roman agriculture from the archaeological evidence is the difficulty in recognising the female in the material remains.
How can we know that a specific artefact has been worked by a woman? Or how can we know which material remains (and under what conditions) are evidence for female labour? The answer is, we cannot. There is nothing inherent in the evidence that can tell us the answers to these and similar questions; the archaeological evidence by itself, as pointed out more generally in Chapter 1, is silent over the social mode of production. This does not mean, however, that we cannot see the female in the material remains. After all, there is equally nothing intrinsically
'male about a threshing floor or a wine press - none of which has stopped us from recognising the exploitation of male labour in these and other agricultural implements. In other words, allocation of male or female labour to specific archaeological artefacts is a process that does not happen on the ground, but on average about five to six foot up, i.e. in our heads. The decision to recognise male labour in a whole array of material remains has long been made; that of recognising female labour is, in contrast, only just in the making.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 5

The hats – used to costume the Jewish priesthood – are referencing 16thC turbans worn by the sultans (and high officials) in the Ottoman Empire. Islamic material culture has influenced artistic depictions of the biblical world for a 1000 yrs (bc orientalism). Descriptions of image examples in alt.

Late 16th century painting of "Christ before Caiaphas" (a scene from the New Testament) by Palma il Giovane (Jacopo Negretti). Sitting in the foreground of the image are three Temple priests wearing robes and turbans in the style of the 16th century Ottoman court. All three have white, bulb-shaped turbans with taj in the centre.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Mar 12

How many books with male authors were produced with explicit (and extensive) help from their wives? And what of the reverse – how often did/do women rely on their husbands for "invaluable aid" with their manuscripts?

Dedication page from a book. Text reads, "I am indebted to David I. Lichtman for research assistance and to Mrs. Genevieve Linebarger, Professor Willian A Marina, Theodore Lit and my beloved wife, Sylvia Castleton Weyl, for invaluable aid in editing the manuscript."

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Mar 4

If you happen to be in Leuven this July, come see my provocatively titled paper yet! #eabs2026

Screenshot of an email reading, “Dear Katie Turner,

We are pleased to inform you that your proposed abstract,““F*ck You, I Won’t Do What You Tell Me”: A Practical Look at Historical Consultation for Biblically Based Media”, has been accepted for the upcoming EABS Annual Conference 2026 Leuven.

We look forward to your presentation!”

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Feb 20

This is my favourite example of size as social status. The small standing figure may be an enslaved child, but it's equally possible that her diminutive size simply indicates her enslavement (or servitude). www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

Limestone funerary monument of a seated woman with a smaller, standing figure at her left. The standing figure is considerably smaller than the seated figure: her shoulders are a few inches shy of the seated figure's shoulder line.
Both figures are missing features (much of the face of the seated woman has been worn away, while the head and left hand of the standing figure are also missing). The deceased woman has tight curls framing her face: a style made fashionable in the court of the Flavian emperors at Rome toward the end of the first century CE. Behind the curls, her hair is veiled. She wears a long, pleated tunic, bound under the bust line, and a draped mantle over both shoulders.
The standing figure wears a long, pleated tunic belted at the waist (an indicator of a lower social status). She holds a jewelry chest in her right hand; a round object that resembles a mirror hangs from her left arm.
The face of the plinth on which the servant stands is inscribed: "Zoilos of Golgoi made [it]."

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Feb 16

Yup! Caro's longer elucidation of this point, about Johnson specifically:

But although the cliché says that power always corrupts, what is seldom said, but what is equally true, is that power always reveals. When a man is climb-ing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary: to hide traits that might make others reluctant to give him power, to hide also what he wants to do with that power; if men recognized the traits or realized the aims, they might refuse to give him what he wants. But as a man obtains more power, camouflage is less necessary. The curtain begins to rise. The revealing begins.
When Lyndon Johnson had accumulated enough power to do something-a small something-for civil rights in the Senate, he had done it, inadequate though it may have been. Now, suddenly, he had a lot more power, and it didn't take him long to reveal at least part of what he wanted to do with it. On the evening of November 26, the advisers gathered around the dining room table in...

his home to draft the speech he was to deliver the following day to a joint session of Congress were arguing about the amount of emphasis to be given to civil rights in that speech, his first major address as President. As Johnson sat silently listening, most of these advisers were warning that he must not emphasize the subject because it would antagonize the southerners who controlled Congress, and whose support he would need for the rest of his presidency—and because a civil rights bill had no chance of passage anyway. And then, in the early hours of the morning, as one of those advisers recalls, "one of the wise, practical people around the table" told him to his face that a President shouldn't spend his time and power on lost causes, no matter how worthy those causes might be.
"Well, what the hell's the presidency for?" Lyndon Johnson replied.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Feb 8

Today's the day #SuperbOwl #DefensiveLineup

A row of five little stone owls sitting on one stone block.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jan 30

I also want to highlight this bit. I wish far more people understood this, especially at a time of ever-increasing antisemitism, bc of the way antisemitism is deeply, intrinsically entwined with other racisms and prejudices *at their origin points*.

"That's the whole point: these are all related phenomena. European antisemitism influenced the way in which European colonialism and imperialism operated against indigenous population in the Americas."

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jan 30

These are Martin Shuster's words but they could easily be mine. It's something I think about daily lately...

"At least this is what 'Never Again' has meant and means to me: it does not mean only never again for me or other Jews. And it does not mean never again only something that looks exactly like the Nazi genocide. I think also, btw, that this is what it meant for Otto Frank, who spent time *editing* his daughter's diary so that it could be available to anyone, not only to Jews."

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jan 16

As I said yesterday

There is a long history of marginalised, racialised, or other "undesirable" groups being ascribed an innate criminality.

So when a racist says they plan to target "criminals", they weren't lying when people *without convictions* end up targeted. It would be beneficial to acknowledge this.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jan 16

An Ode to the Arch of Titus

Emperor Domitian,
On hearing a rendition,
From his brother's mortician,
Of the Jewish sedition,
And outright ambition,
To bring forth partition,
With no sign of contrition,
Did henceforth commission,
With sudden ebullition,
A semiotician,
For a grand exposition,
Of a past expedition,
To bring demolition,
And exact prohibition,
On this great imposition.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jan 6

Helping The Kid with some research for a school project, and read this in one of his books. 🫠

A block on text on an illustrated page, reads:
“The Crusades
In the Age of Knights, Christians from many lands travelled to the Holy Land to pray in the places where Jesus had lived and taught.
They were called pilgrims.
The Arabs who ruled the Holy Land were not Christians. But they let the pilgrims come and go in peace. Then fierce raiders called Saracens attacked the Holy Land and captured Jerusalem. They began to kill and rob the peaceful pilgrims.
Christian knights from many countries joined to fight the Saracens. They called their wars Crusades. Crusade means 'war of the cross' The Crusaders wore the cross of Jesus on their armour.
After many fierce battles, the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. They built huge castles where they could live in safety. They protected the pilgrims who came to the Holy Land and cared for the poor and sick.
After nearly one hundred years the Saracens forced the Crusaders to leave Jerusalem. There were more Crusades, but the knights never captured Jerusalem again.”

The illustration shows Crusader knights fighting “Saracens”.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Dec 15

"…Hanukkah is the insistence that light is not a metaphor. It is a responsibility. A candle does not negotiate with darkness. It pushes back, stubbornly, flame-first." Thinking of Ahmed el-Ahmed as we welcome the second night. Happy Chanukah! 🕎

Three menorahs, each with three lit candles, on a shelf next to a window.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Nov 29

Is ChatGPT Conscious? Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
By Jeff Wise, a science journalist and private pilot.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Nov 24

Nine panel cartoon by Stephen Collins (COLILLO.COM) featuring two people talking to each other.
Person 1: Ugh…
Person 2: What’s Up?
P1: I am so bored of cooking peas!
P2: Have you tried...Al peas?
P1: Al peas?
P2: They're peas with Al! Al-powered peas harness the potential of your peas
P1: What
P2: Why not take your peas to the next level with Al Peas' new Al tools to power your peas? Each pea has Al in a way we haven't quite worked out yet but it's fine. With Al peas you can supercharge productivity and make Al work for your peas!
P1: What
P2: Shut up. Our game-changing Pea-Al gives you the freedom to unlock the potential of the power of the future of your peas workflow. From opening the bag of peas, to boiling the peas, to eating the peas, A! To spending millions on adding Al to the peas and then having to work out what that even means
P1: Is it really necessary to-
P2: THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI JANET
P1: …
P2: Just peas for God's sake buy the Al peas

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Nov 24

Cannot stop laughing at this clip from The Chosen of Romans carrying a chanukiah out of the Temple (during its destruction c70).

screenshot from The Chosen (s5 ep1) showing two Roman soldiers carrying a large, golden chanukiah (candelabra with 9 branches) through a smoky haze with small fires burning around them.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jul 15

Considering you ignored the references I shared to back up my post and then accused me of not "backing up my claim". And are now saying you can't find either substack, I don't think anything you're saying is in good faith, but fwiw:

Screenshot of Richard Spencer's substack

Screenshot of Richard Hanania's substack

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jul 11

Husband works in tech doing accessibility design. Over 20 yrs in the field he's heard so. much. nonsense. Most recently, "disabled people don't drive" THESE ARE THE PEOPLE BUILDING OUR DIGITAL WORLD including self-driving cars! It's genuinely terrifying. His advice: question everything. Also this:

"Apropos of nothing, it's worth remembering that the Luddites were not opposed to technology, or even technological change. They were however very aware of how the benefits of such change were (and indeed still are!) not equally distributed.

Rioting, machine-breaking, and wider sabotage were really the only means of protest available to them, in a time before workers' rights and widespread industry. Fortunately in the 21st century, that picture is a little different.

So, as change happens around you at work, embrace it as much or as little as you want. Just remember that ultimately it's not being introduced for your benefit! Which doesn't mean you should go smashing up your place of work, but definitely consider joining a union, and definitely keep in the back of your mind, 'who are these changes good for, and who do they harm?'"

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jul 3

Had a voucher for my local indie bookshop. Got myself a present.

“A Cultural History of Color in Antiquity” edited by David Wharton sits on a brightly-coloured table, next to a cup of coffee.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Jun 14

An older couple at a protest, holding a cardboard sign that reads, “so many issues, so little cardboard.”

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· May 20

Pausing in case you're like, "What do you mean the mitre is shaped like horns?" The 12th C the mitre was positioned such that 2 peaks sat vertically over each temple. In time it rotated 90 deg, got a bit larger and more ornate - but still, 2 peaks called cornea. www.newadvent.org/cathen/10404...

A depiction of each stage of development of the Bishop's mitre of the Roman Catholic Church. The first is a sort of conical helmet shape (c. 10th C). Next, a domed helmet shape (c. 11th C). Next, a vertical band has been extended across the crown from front to back creating two soft mounds on either side (c. early 12th C). Next, the vertical band has been removed and the two soft mounds are stiffened into two peaks (c. 12th century). Next, the hat is the same shape but has been rotated so one peak is in front, and one peak is behind (13th c).
A caption under the image reads: Development of the Mitre
from the Eleventh to Early-Twentieth Century, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. 1913. page 405.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 28

I’m stuck.

An adorable red cocker spaniel, fast asleep in a sofa with her head on a person’s hand.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 24

Not just Egypt! These are fragments of a linen sock found at Masada (IAA No: 2001-9052). When we think about Jesus, we should be thinking: Socks. With sandals. I got to talk about ancient socks and other aspects of Roman-era clothing on Biblical Time Machine: open.spotify.com/episode/05Bw...

Museum catalogue photograph of two fragments from a knit sock (one is from the toe) made from undyed linen.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 22

Ziggy is fine! But my brother had to say goodbye to his beautiful Abbott today. He was a particularly special pup and will be hugely missed. Here he is in happier times...

A beautiful white and tan cocker spaniel with a spectacular head of hair, wearing a polka-dot birthday hat.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 8

Bagel and schmear, potato knish, roast beef and pastrami on rye, soup dumplings, a slice of pizza, cheesecake, and a cup of coffee in one of these…

A blue coffee cup with white meander decorating the top and bottom. An image in the centre of the cup shows three steaming coffee cups (in silhouette) and the words, “We are happy to serve you”.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Apr 5

My mom sent me her favourite sign from #handsoff NY 1 I’m there in spirit!

An older white man, walking in a protest march, holding a large yellow sign that reads, “Know Your Parasites”. Three images with labels below. From left to right: “Deer tick”, “Dog Tick”, “Luna Tick”. The last one is accompanied by a picture of Trump.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Mar 15

No cheating. Post the last photo of your pet.

A red cocker spaniel with a white stripe up her nose, resting her head on a blanket and staring straight at the camera.

Katie Turner @katieturnerphd· Feb 21

Mood.