What's a laureate? A classicist explains the word's roots in Ancient Greek victors winning crowns of laurel leaves
- Written by Joel Christensen, Professor of Classical Studies, Brandeis University
Laurel was an ancient symbol of medicine, the arts and the end of war.naphtalina/E+ via Getty ImagesWhen the Nobel Prizes are handed out each year, honorees each receive a medal and monetary prize. Even in the absence of these material goods, the honor of being a Nobel laureate persists as part of someone’s name or title, like a heroic...