Martin Beckmann

Martin Beckmann is an Associate Professor in the Department of Greek & Roman Studies at McMaster University. His primary research focuses on Roman art and archaeology with particular emphasis on numismatics, sculpture, mosaics, and pottery. He has conducted extensive fieldwork at sites such as Nysa on the Meander and Zeugma, contributing to excavations and geophysical surveys across the Mediterranean region. Beckmann has authored acclaimed works on Roman imperial monuments including Trajan’s Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius, exploring their sculptural programs and historical narratives. His scholarship bridges textual analysis (e.g., Pliny’s letters) with material culture, examining how art and coinage communicated imperial ideology.

• Teaching: Roman Art, Archaeological Methodology, Latin language courses
• Recent Projects: Geophysical surveys in Sabina region, analysis of Hadrian’s gold coinage, investigations into Faustina the Younger’s portraiture

Beckmann’s interdisciplinary approach integrates numismatic studies with architectural analysis, emphasizing how material remains reflect political messaging and cultural identity in the Roman Empire. His field schools combine hands-on excavation with theoretical training, preparing students for advanced archaeological practice.