About
Bryan Ward-Perkins is a Tutor in Late Antique and Medieval History at Trinity College, University of Oxford. He chairs the interdisciplinary 'Centre for Late Antiquity,' uniting over 80 Oxford scholars. His research focuses on the transition from pagan Roman rule to early Christian Europe, emphasizing material culture and religious practices. He leads a European-funded ERC project on the origins of Christian saints' cult across linguistic and cultural groups (Syriac, Georgian, Armenian, Coptic, Greek, and Latin).
His work spans urban and economic history, with major publications like The Last Statues of Antiquity (2016) and The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization (2005). His current research explores how saints' cults evolved from martyr veneration to multifaceted religious practices, including relic worship and pilgrimage.
- Teaching: Supervises DPhil students in Late Antiquity and teaches undergraduate courses in British history and general history.
- Grants: European Research Council (ERC) funding since 2014 for the 'Cult of Saints' project.
- Labs/Teams: Directs the Cult of Saints and Last Statues research initiatives.
