Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

It is with great pride today that I unveil to you Volume DXC Issue II that publishes the works of students in History 590: Problems and Methods of Ancient Mediterranean History at Phillips Exeter Academy. The curriculum since the courses’s beginning in 2023 has shifted focus from the Hellenistic period to the Achaemenid Empire. The course description is as follows:

“This course examines pressing and problematic debates concerning ancient Mediterranean history…This course will deconstruct ideas of a derivative, decadent and inferior Achaemenid empire to examine a “global” Mediterranean history that centers not on Greek perspectives and material but gazes back at the Mediterranean from the East…” (Phillips Exeter Academy Courses of Instruction 2024-2025)

First conceived at the end of the fall of 2023, this series was spearheaded by our late editor-in-chief Rajiv Raval. While our dear friend and thoughtful leader may no longer be with us, his spirit carries on with every edition of Liber. It is for this reason that we dedicate this issue in his name: may the light he has shone upon the classics community continue to burn bright through the words of our future scholars.

This year, papers were written in four stages: a primary source anthology, a secondary source historiography, an infographic poster, and finally a 15-page research paper. After the poster was created, students were able to present their research in the Αγορα of the Elizabeth Phillips Academy Center to others. The feedback presented by their peers were then incorporated in their research to create the scholarly articles we publish today.

This publication would not have been possible by the Exonians who offered their pensive ears and advice. It would also not have been possible without the rigorous research of our students. For this, I thank Caden Dobrinski ‘25, Rishi Gurudevan ‘25, Michael Lu ‘25, Aoibhe McNamara ‘25, Ryder Nardella ‘26, Emmett Nomellini ‘25, and Tayshawn Taylor ‘25. I would also like to thank the collective effort of my fellow Liber board –– Editor-in-chief Elizabeth Christiansen ‘25, Director of Layout Olivia Pierre ‘25, and Assistant Director of Writing Audrey Dent ‘25 –– for their support. Third, I would like to thank the Classics Department, the Behr Fund, and the History Department for providing Liber with this opportunity to publish such excellent articles. Last but certainly not least, I would like to extend my greatest thanks to Dr. Troy Samuels for his excellent teaching and leadership. Despite great difficulty, he has always been there to offer his support, providing thoughtful feedback and facilitating the excellent research we see here today. I personally will forever be indebted to him for his guidance through all four years of my time at Exeter: without his patience and unwavering support, I would not be sitting before you all here today to present this issue of Liber.

With this note, I believe it is time for the curtains to be drawn. I hope you will find its contents as inspiring as I do.

Vale, and Χαίρε,

Kendra Wang, Director-of-Writing

Phillips Exeter Academy Class of 2025