Thirza Vis, BA | Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut Rome

Thirza Vis, BA

Classics and Ancient Civilizations

Scholarship: KNIR Scholarship for (R)MA students

Titel onderzoek: Rewriting freedom of speech. Greek authors on parrhesia in the Roman World.
In my thesis I will analyze how Greek writers use the concept of parrhesia (freedom of speech) while describing Roman history. I will argue that they often need to rework the concept and adapt it to the Roman context about which they wrote. In this process, the concept gradually loses its original connection to notions of democratic equality, but in many cases retains its connection to some form of civic liberty.

Werkzaam bij het KNIR: 11 September - 3 November 2025

Universiteit: Leiden University

Thirza is a RMA student in Classics. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Classics and in History from Leiden University in 2023. Currently she is doing the Research Master Classics at Leiden University. During her bachelors she took part in the Summer School ‘Roma Caput Mundi’ at the KNIR and participated in the KNIR seminar ‘The world of the Greek epigram’. In 2024 she lived and studied in Rome as part of an exchange semester at La Sapienza Università di Roma. Her research interests include migration to ancient Rome, Greek philosophy and modern political history. She is always happy to share her own experiences and to answer questions about the many opportunities Rome and the KNIR have to offer. She was also a KNIR Ambassador.