Robert Rollinger

Univ.-Prof. Robert Rollinger is a full professor at the University of Innsbruck’s Department of Ancient History and Oriental Studies. He holds academic degrees from the Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, including a M.A. (1989), PhD (1993), and Habilitation (1999). His research focuses on the interconnections between the Aegean and Ancient Near East, Achaemenid history, and global historiography. Rollinger has held prestigious positions such as editor of journals like Nikephoros and Ancient History Bulletin, and is a member of institutions including the Academia Europaea and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Research Interests

• Contacts between Aegean and Near Eastern worlds
• Ancient Near Eastern historiography
• Empire studies (especially Achaemenid Persia)
• Global and entangled history approaches

Awards

• Dr. Seibert-Preis (1995)
• Preis des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (1998)
• Wissenschaftspreis des Österreichischen Olympischen Comités (1999)
• Ausonius-Preis (2023)

He leads major projects like the NAWA Chair on Achaemenid-Roman empire comparisons and chairs the Austrian Academy’s “Transformation Processes and Empire” commission. His work emphasizes cross-cultural connections and imperial legacies in antiquity.