The establishment of a shrine to Mens was authorized at the behest of the Sibylline Books following the disastrous Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene in 217 BC. The action was taken at the instruction of Q. Fabius Maximus, who was dictator and augur and would become pontifex in 216. The introduction of the worship of Mens reflects the employment of cultic innovations to justify the policy of Fabius and his supporters." - J. Rufus Fears, The Virtue of Mens: Roman Cult and Greek Thought
I had the pleasure of learning from Dr. Fears vision of Greek and Roman Society when I took two audio courses, Famous Greeks and Famous Romans, from The Teaching Company. A 15-time award winner for outstanding teaching including "Professor of the Year" in his present position at the University of Oklahoma, Professor Fears incisive anecdotes brings the ancient societies to life and reflects his enthusiasm for classical studies.
Professor Fears has been instrumental in organizing the Societas Colloquium, an international Symposium on Roman Imperial Ideology. He has served as president of the Vergillian Society, a group of scholars who hold symposia "focusing upon the archaeology, ancient history, philology, linguistics, iconography, and ritual activities at Italian cult centers, and the degree to which these cults were retained, modified, or replaced under foreign influences."
He has also authored The Cult of Virtues and Roman Imperial Ideology.
His e-mail address is listed as: J.R.Fears-1@ou.edu
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