Michael Flower

Michael Flower is the David Magie '97 Class of 1897 Professor of Classics at Princeton University, where he has been a core faculty member since 2003 after previously teaching at Franklin and Marshall College from 1986-2003. His position reflects his significant scholarly contributions to the field of Classics.

Flower received his B.A. in Classical Languages from the University of California at Berkeley (1978), followed by a second B.A. in Classics from University College, Oxford University (1981), where he specialized in ancient history and philosophy. He completed his Ph.D. in Classics from Brown University in 1986.

His research spans Greek historiography, history, and religion with particular emphasis on adapting methodologies from modern history, anthropology of religion, and literary criticism. Flower has made significant contributions to understanding Spartan society, panhellenism as political ideology, and the role of divination in ancient Greece. His interdisciplinary approach connects historical analysis with literary and religious studies, creating innovative pathways for understanding ancient Greek civilization.

Flower's publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of history, literary criticism, and religious studies, with particular attention to how political ideology and religious practice shaped ancient Greek society. His work on Spartan success, panhellenism, and seers demonstrates how ancient Greeks constructed and maintained cultural and political identities through historical narratives and religious practices.

• Old Dominion Professor (2018-19)

Flower has been actively involved in departmental initiatives, notably co-creating Princeton's pre-doctoral fellowship designed to diversify the field of Classics by supporting promising young Classicists from underrepresented backgrounds. This fellowship provides both preparation for and admission to Princeton's Ph.D. program, reflecting Flower's commitment to expanding access to the discipline. He has also co-organized significant academic events including the "Racing the Classics" conference and participated in department-wide diversity training initiatives.

Flower maintains an active research agenda focused on historical fiction in ancient Greece, as evidenced by his Old Dominion Professor project "The Art of Historical Fiction in Ancient Greece," which continues his longstanding interest in how ancient historians constructed narratives that blended fact and literary artistry.