In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, our latest Kelsey in Focus installation examines the links between the nation’s founding and ancient Rome. “‘There Are in America, No Kings, Princes, or Nobles’: Caesar, Cato, and Washington” shows how the Founding Fathers looked to the Roman Republic in their fight against King George III. Figures like Brutus, Cincinnatus, and Cato—resistors of authoritarian rule—inspired military leaders and troops, while political structures such as the Roman Senate and term limits guided the founders as they shaped the United States’ new government.
These Roman inheritances, however, were not without contradiction. This Kelsey in Focus case explores the conflicting ideas surrounding liberty, leadership, and power—in ancient Rome, in Revolutionary America, and in the United States today.
Developed by museum director Nic Terrenato and educators Will Pestle and Shannon Ness, “Caesar, Cato, and Washington” is supported by a $4,400 grant from the University of Michigan’s U.S. at 250 initiative. The installation will be on display through November 2026.
