Petr Kitzler

Petr Kitzler serves as the Director of the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences (since October 2023), following his tenure as Head of the Cabinet for Classical Studies (2016-2023) and Deputy Director of the Institute (2016-2023). His academic career spans multiple institutions including Masaryk University in Brno and Palacký University in Olomouc, where he contributed to research centers focused on patristic, medieval, and Renaissance texts. As a leading scholar in early Christian studies, he directs the Department of Biblical Studies and serves as editor-in-chief of Eirene. Studia Graeca et Latina.

Dr. Kitzler earned his Master's degree in Classical Studies from Masaryk University in Brno (2003), followed by a Rigorous degree in Classical Philology (PhDr., 2005). He completed doctoral studies across multiple disciplines: Latin Medieval Studies at Masaryk University (under Prof. Jana Nechutová), Philosophy at Charles University (under Prof. Lenka Karfíková), and Classical Philology at Charles University (Ph.D., 2013). In 2018, he was awarded the title 'Doctor of Sciences' (DSc.) by the Czech Academy of Sciences for his dissertation 'From Passio Perpetuae to Acta Perpetuae. Recontextualizing a Martyr Story in the Literature of the Early Church' (De Gruyter, 2015).

Kitzler's research focuses on early Christian Latin literature, particularly the works of Tertullian of Carthage and early hagiography, with special attention to the Passio Perpetuae et Felicitatis and its reception in early Christian literature. His scholarly interests span patristics, hagiography, early Christian philosophical and theological anthropology, soul doctrine, Latin apologetics, and martyrological literature. His work demonstrates deep engagement with textual analysis, historical context, and theological interpretation of early Christian writings.

His extensive publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on North African Christianity, particularly Tertullian's contributions to early Christian thought. His research bridges textual scholarship with theological and philosophical inquiry, examining how early Christian writers engaged with Greco-Roman culture while developing distinct theological frameworks. His publications show strong interdisciplinary connections between patristics, classical studies, religious history, and philosophical anthropology, with particular emphasis on textual transmission and reception history.

• 2024: Main prize in the translation category at the 16th Academia Publishing House Awards for translating Tertullian's 'De anima' (On the Soul)
• 2015: Recognition from the Rector of Palacký University Olomouc for his book 'Tertullianus, O Kristově těle - De carne Christi'
• 2014: Otto Wichterle Prize in humanities and social sciences, awarded by the President of the Czech Academy of Sciences
• 2004/2005: Scholarship from the Jan Hus Educational Foundation

Dr. Kitzler has served as principal investigator for the project 'Development of Environment for Professional Growth of Workers at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences' (2020-2022) and participated in the GA ČR project 'Transmission and Transformation of Ideas: Hellenism, Early Judaism and Early Christianity' (2019-2021). He has been a visiting researcher at the Warburg Institute in London multiple times (2008, 2011, 2019, 2022) and has presented his research at international conferences including the Celtic Conference in Classics (Montreal, 2017) and International Conference on the Ancient Novel (Lisbon, 2008).

As editor-in-chief of 'Eirene. Studia Graeca et Latina' since 2013 and former executive editor of 'Listy filologické' (2007-2015), Kitzler has shaped academic discourse in classical and patristic studies. He leads the book series 'Knihovna raně křesťanské tradice' (Library of Early Christian Tradition) and serves on editorial boards of multiple academic journals. His international collaborations include fellowships at the Warburg Institute and participation in scholarly networks across Europe, while his domestic engagement includes membership in doctoral committees at Masaryk University and Charles University.