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Ombretta CescaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Greek Literature
• Homeric Poetry
• Archaic and Classical Greece
• +7 more

Ombretta Cesca is an Assistant Professor of Greek Language and Literature in the Section of Archaeology and Ancient Sciences (IASA) at the Faculty of Arts, University of Lausanne (UNIL), a position she began on August 1, 2022. She specializes in Greek literature from the Archaic and Classical periods, particularly Homeric poetry, and her academic work bridges philology, narratology, and ancient communication studies. Bachelor of Arts, University of Turin (2008) Master's Degree, Philology and Literature of Antiquity, University of Turin (2011) Doctor of Arts, University of Lausanne (2018) Her research focuses on communication technologies in the ancient world, the power of speech, and the transmission of knowledge in oral cultures. She investigates how verbal messages are conveyed across distances in Homeric and classical texts, analyzing messenger scenes, embassies, and speech reporting. Her work often explores the narrative and formulaic functions of repetition, divine messengers, and linguistic authority in epic and dramatic literature. The recent scholarly articles by Ombretta Cesca reveal a consistent thematic trajectory centered on narratological and communicative structures in ancient Greek literature. Her publications span Homeric epics, Athenian tragedy, and comedy, with a particular emphasis on how information is transmitted, controlled, and transformed across different genres. She frequently examines the role of intermediaries—such as divine messengers, human envoys, and poetic narrators—and the epistemological implications of their speech. Her research integrates philological precision with narrative theory, contributing significantly to the understanding of oral performance and textual coherence in antiquity. Her notable recognition includes: Constantin Valiadis Prize (2018) Ombretta Cesca has led a research project on the practice of oaths in ancient Greece in collaboration with UMR 8210 Anhima (Anthropology and History of Ancient Worlds) in Paris, where she was an FNS postdoc.mobility fellow from June 2021 to July 2022. She has authored a monograph based on her doctoral thesis, published by De Gruyter in 2022, and several peer-reviewed articles on divine messengers and communication media in Greek literature. There is no public information available about her advising of students or laboratory affiliations.

Silvio BärView profile

Professor

• Classics
• Greek Epic
• Tragedy
• +6 more

Silvio Bär is a Professor of Greek at the University of Oslo (UiO), affiliated with the Department of Classics within the Faculty of Humanities. His academic career includes roles such as Head of Subject in Classics (2018–20), President of the National Professional Body for Greek and Latin (2019–23), and Deputy Representative of the Institute Board at IFIKK (2025–28). Bär holds a PhD from the University of Zurich (2008) and has held academic positions at institutions including the University of Zurich and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He specializes in ancient Greek epic, tragedy, and lyric poetry, with a focus on intertextuality, narratology, and classical reception in modern culture. His research encompasses studies on Quintus Smyrnaeus, Heracles mythology, and cognitive approaches to classical texts. Notable publications include Herakles im griechischen Epos (2018) and Diachronic Narratology in Greek Myth (2025, in press). He has edited volumes such as Brill’s Companion to Greek and Latin Epyllion (2012) and contributed to projects like the Artificial Intelligence in Greek and Roman Epic (2024). Bär’s teaching includes courses on classical rhetoric and epic traditions, alongside digital humanities initiatives like the Literature, Cognition and Emotions project. His outreach activities feature public lectures on myths in film and literature, reflecting his commitment to bridging ancient and modern scholarship.

Ivaylo KostovView profile

Associate Professor

• Religious Studies
• History of Mythologies
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Ivaylo Kostov is an Associate Professor in History of Mythologies and Religions at the Department of World Culture, Faculty of Screen Arts, National Academy of Theatre and Film Art Krastyo Sarafov (NATFA). He holds multiple advanced degrees including Doctor of Theology (2005), Doctor of Religious Studies (2004), and a Master of Theology (1981). His academic career spans over three decades with roles across Bulgaria's leading institutions like New Bulgarian University (NBU), Sofia University (SU), and South-West University (SWU). Education highlights include: Doctor of Theology, Higher Academic Council (2005) Doctor of Religious Studies, New Bulgarian University (2004) Specialization in History and Theory of Culture, Sofia University (1991) Master of Theology, Theological Academy (1981) Research interests focus on religious studies, mythological systems, cultural analysis, and interdisciplinary studies linking religion with psychology, philosophy, and film. He pioneered the Comparative Religious Studies Master's program at NBU (1999-2004) and directed humanities programs. His editorial work includes leading Religion and Culture /Religion & Civilization (1999-2003). Publications include monographs like Jesus, Christ and Cinema (2010) and World Religions: History and Analysis (2008), alongside numerous articles in religious studies. He actively participates in international conferences on topics like religious fasting, ancient cultures, and war in religious systems. Administrative roles include directorships at NBU and assistant director at SNPDF “Vreme”. His creative work bridges academic research with cultural production through NATFA's theater and film programs.

Guy JarousseauView profile

Lecturer

• Medieval History
• Church History
• Religious Institutions
• +5 more

Guy Jarousseau is a Lecturer in Medieval History at the Catholic University of the West (UCO-Angers), affiliated with the Laboratory for Studies on Monotheisms (LEM, CNRS-UMR 8584). He specializes in Early Medieval religious institutions, particularly in the Anjou region, focusing on the interplay between political power and religious practices. His roles include Training Manager for the History Degree and leadership in academic departments such as Head of the History Department and Director of Studies for the History Bachelor’s program. He has also taught at the Saint-Jean interdiocesan seminary (Nantes) and served as an academic director for the History Degree program. His research encompasses the institutional and social expressions of Christianity from the 5th to 12th centuries, including episcopal governance, monastic reform, and hagiography. Key areas include the transition of Angers from late antiquity to the medieval period and the dynamics of monastic communities in the Loire Valley. Jarousseau has contributed to programs like the ANR-funded COL&MON project, analyzing medieval religious institutions and their cartographic histories. His teaching spans courses on Frankish and Carolingian history, medieval diplomacies, and Latin paleography. He actively participates in seminars and colloquia, such as the Sources latines médiévales seminar and the 2021 conference on 'Les êtres et leurs restes'. His scholarly work is published in journals like Annales de Bretagne et des pays de l'Ouest and book chapters in volumes such as Angers, la grâce d'une cathédrale .

Thomas LandvatterView profile

Associate Professor

• Mediterranean Archaeology
• Hellenistic and Roman Egypt
• Near Eastern Studies
• +3 more

Thomas Landvatter is an Associate Professor of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Reed College, specializing in Mediterranean archaeology with a focus on Hellenistic and Roman Egypt and the Near East. He joined Reed in 2015 after teaching at Kalamazoo College and Valparaiso University. His research explores the archaeology of death, identity, and imperialism, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and a Fulbright Award. Landvatter co-directs the Pyla-Kousopetria Archaeological Project’s excavations at Vigla, Cyprus, and oversees a field school for Reed students since 2018. Education: B.A. in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies from Penn State University (2006), Ph.D. in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan (2013). His work integrates archaeological, papyrological, and historical methods to study cross-cultural interaction and material culture in the ancient world. Recent publications include studies on burial practices in Ptolemaic Egypt, imperial strategies in Cyprus, and the archaeology of Karanis. He frequently presents at conferences such as the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) and the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA).

• Achaemenid Archaeology
• Hellenistic Archaeology
• Roman Archaeology
• +5 more

Andrea M. Berlin is the James R. Wiseman Chair in Classical Archaeology and Professor of Archaeology and Religion at Boston University, serving as Interim Director of the Archaeology Program. Since 1973, she has conducted excavations across the eastern Mediterranean, including projects at Troy (Turkey) and Coptos (Egypt), focusing on the Achaemenid, Hellenistic, and Roman eras. Her research emphasizes daily life under ancient empires and intersections of political/cultural change. Current projects include publishing the Persian-period excavations at Tel Kedesh (Israel) and a book on materiality in Second Temple Judaism. Educated at the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1988), her expertise spans ceramic studies, Second Temple Judaism, and Levantine archaeology. Her excavations at Tel Kedesh (co-directed since 1997) and Coptos (1988-1992) have produced major publications, including Tel Kedesh: Persian Period Levels and The Middle Maccabees . Awards: 2021 P.E. MacAllister Award, NEH Senior Fellowship (2010-11), AIA Teaching Excellence Award (2009). Editorial Roles: Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Tel Aviv . Teaching: Award-winning mentorship, emphasizing archaeological methodology and computational approaches. Her work bridges fieldwork, material culture analysis, and interdisciplinary scholarship, with a focus on reconstructing ancient socio-political dynamics through archaeological evidence.

Michelle FreemanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Religious History
• Cultural History
• Late Antique Mediterranean
• +9 more

Michelle Freeman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics at Southern Illinois University's College of Liberal Arts, with a joint appointment in History. Her expertise centers on the religious and cultural history of the late antique Mediterranean, spanning Greek-, Syriac-, Latin-, and Coptic-speaking contexts. Specializations include ancient Christianity (1st–7th centuries), ritual practices, martyr veneration, relics, homiletic traditions, and sensory/emotional dimensions of religious experience. Her current research examines speeches of praise for Christian martyrs delivered on feast days across the Mediterranean and Near East. This project analyzes how such homilies fostered social cohesion in early Christian communities while reflecting localized devotional practices.

Rebecca CrozierView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Osteoarchaeology
• Mortuary Practices
• Neolithic Archaeology
• +4 more

Dr. Rebecca Crozier is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Aberdeen, part of the School of Geosciences. She holds a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and the Society of Antiquaries (FSA). Her work focuses on osteoarchaeology, mortuary practices, and Neolithic studies across Europe and Southeast Asia. She coordinates the MSc in Human Osteoarchaeology and teaches courses on death archaeology, osteology, and ancient health. Education: MA (Archaeology), University of Edinburgh, 1998 MSc (Osteology, Palaeopathology & Funerary Archaeology), University of Bradford, 1999 PhD (Bioarchaeology), Queen’s University Belfast, 2012 Research Interests: Funerary practices in Neolithic and prehistoric societies Archaeological taphonomy and human remains analysis Interdisciplinary study of disease and health in past populations Cultural responses to death in modern and historical contexts Southeast Asian and Pacific archaeology Recent Research Trends: Her publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to funerary rituals, combining archaeological, genetic, and historical data. Recent work explores pandemic impacts on funeral practices and the application of 3D modeling in osteological research. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA) Grants & Consultancy: She advises the Australian Department of Defence on WWII-era war casualty recovery and co-leads projects in Papua New Guinea and France. Her work also involves developing osteological teaching resources and laboratories, including the human osteology lab at the University of the Philippines. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Aberdeen Osteoarchaeology Research Group and collaborates with institutions globally, including the University of the Philippines and Vietnam National Museum of Nature.

• Hebrew Bible Studies
• Ancient Near Eastern Traditions
• Ritual Theory
• +3 more

James Watts is a Full Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Traditions in Syracuse University's Department of Religion (College of Arts and Sciences). He holds the William P. Tolley Professorship in the Humanities and has served as Department Chair and director of multiple academic initiatives. His research focuses on biblical rhetoric, ritual theory, and the functions of iconic texts across cultures. Watts earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible Studies from Yale University (1990), preceded by degrees from Southern Seminary and Pomona College. Key research projects include the 'Iconic Books Project' and a Käte Hamburger Kolleg fellowship (2015–2016) investigating sacred texts' sensory engagement. His scholarship analyzes Leviticus, ancient Near Eastern religious practices, and the social impact of scriptures. Watts teaches courses on biblical studies, ancient religions, and comparative scriptures, guiding graduate research in textual practices and rituals. Publications include monographs on Leviticus, ritual theory, and iconic texts, along with over 50 articles. His work bridges biblical studies with cognitive science, media theory, and critical race studies. Watts currently leads the Equinox book series on iconic and performative texts and chairs the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts (SCRIPT).

Ulrica SöderlindView profile

Associate Professor

• Gastronomy
• Hospitality
• Historical Research
• +4 more

Ulrica Söderlind is an Associate Professor at Umeå University's Department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science. Her interdisciplinary research explores gastronomy and hospitality across historical periods and geographical areas, utilizing archaeological, historical, and religious sources. PhD in Economic History Master's in Archaeology and Theology Her research focuses on historical food practices in Sweden, Georgia, and the Middle East, examining how economic, religious, and cultural factors shape culinary traditions. She has published extensively on topics including Nobel Banquets , medieval Georgian cuisine, and 18th-century Swedish recipes. Recent publications (2024) analyze aristocratic cookbooks, archaeological food evidence, and cross-century recipe collections. Her work reveals trends in historical foodways, interreligious dietary practices, and maritime food provisioning. 2005 Royal Swedish Academy of Science Medal 2014 Georgian Embassy Medal Multiple Gourmand International Awards (2017-2022) She contributes to editorial boards and professional networks including Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Swedish PEN, and Polar Researchers in Sweden. Her work bridges academic research with public engagement through film projects and museum collaborations.

• Greek Archaeology
• Ancient Greek Religion
• Digital Approaches to Sacred Landscapes

Constanze Graml is currently the Curator of the Original and Cast Collection at the University of Trier since March 2025. She holds a Magister degree from the Universities of Regensburg and Heidelberg (2004–2010), followed by a PhD from Mainz University (2014), published as *The Sanctuary of Artemis Soteira in the Kerameikos of Athens* (2020). Her research focuses on Greek archaeology, ancient Greek religion, and digital approaches to sacred landscapes, utilizing both material and textual evidence. She has conducted research projects in Greece and held fellowships at institutions like the Fondation Hardt (Geneva), Institute of Classical Studies (London), and the Max-Weber-Kolleg (Erfurt). Her work spans peer-reviewed articles, edited volumes, and conference contributions, with a strong emphasis on Athenian religious topography and digital methodologies. **Education**: Magisterstudium in Classical Archaeology, European Art History, and Ancient History (2004–2010) PhD 2014: *The Sanctuary of Artemis Soteira in the Kerameikos of Athens* **Research Interests**: Greek archaeology, ancient Greek religion, digital mapping of sacred landscapes, Athenian religious practices, ritual iconography, and cultural hybridity in antiquity. **Key Projects**: Ongoing research in Greece, GIS analysis of Hellenistic Attica sacred landscapes, and digital humanities applications in archaeology. **Teaching**: Lectures include *Antiquity: Space and Time*, *Museum and Subject Didactics*, and a teaching-research project. **Publications Highlight**: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited volumes such as *Ergasteria: Premises and Processes of Creation in Antiquity* (2025) and *Rethinking Athens Before the Persian Wars* (2019). Recent work explores plant symbolism in Mediterranean archaeology (*A History of the Mediterranean in 50 Plants*, 2025) and resilience in Athenian religion (forthcoming 2025). **Fellowships and Grants**: Including the Maria & Dr. Ernst Rink Foundation (2024), and collaborations with the Max Weber Kolleg and Munich Center for Ancient Studies. **Labs/Teams**: Active in the Munich Center for Ancient Worlds and collaborates with institutions like the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut in Athens. Her work bridges traditional archaeology with digital tools for spatial and iconographical analysis.

Véronique DegrootView profile

Lecturer

• Southeast Asian Archaeology
• Hindu-Buddhist Period Archaeology
• Javanese Temple Architecture
• +3 more

Véronique Degroot serves as a Lecturer in History and Archaeology at the French School of the Far East (EFEO), specializing in the archaeology of Indonesia's Hindu-Buddhist period. Based at EFEO's Paris headquarters (22, avenue du Président Wilson), she maintains active research collaborations across Southeast Asia while contributing to EFEO's institutional missions. Her educational background includes classical Western archaeology studies at Université catholique de Louvain, a Master of Arts from the School of Oriental and African Studies (London), and a 2009 doctoral thesis from Leiden University titled "Candi, Space and Landscape. A study on the distribution, orientation and spatial organization of Central Javanese temple remains." Prior to joining EFEO in 2012, she worked as curator for ancient Javanese collections at the Museum Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology of the Netherlands). Degroot's research centers on Hindu-Buddhist archaeology in Indonesia, with fieldwork concentrated in Sumatra and Java (including Batujaya, Padang Lawas, Batang, and Kendal regions). Her publications reveal consistent focus on temple architecture, spatial organization, and landscape archaeology, particularly examining how ritual spaces integrate with natural environments. Recent work emphasizes coastal survey methodologies through projects like PANTURAH. She has directed significant collaborative projects including the PANTURAH survey (since 2012) along Central Java's north coast and co-directs the SriBumi mission (launched 2020) investigating the Hindu site of Bumiayu within Śrīvijaya's networks. Degroot actively contributes to academic governance as editorial board member for Archipel (CNRS) and scientific committee member for Berkala Arkeologi . Her institutional affiliations include membership in the Southeast Asia Center (CASE, Mixed Research Unit 8170, CNRS/EHESS), the EFEO research unit "Construction of Centers of Civilization," and participation in the ERC-funded DHARMA project ("domestication" of Hindu asceticism in South/Southeast Asia). Degroot previously served as Head of EFEO's Jakarta Center (2015-2020), strengthening ties with Indonesia's National Centre for Archaeological Research through training programs and joint fieldwork.

Kevin DicusView profile

Associate Professor

• Classical Archaeology
• Roman Urbanism
• Etruscan Archaeology
• +11 more

Kevin Dicus is an Associate Professor and Program Head in Humanities and Classics at the Department of Classics, University of Oregon, within the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan and advanced degrees from the University of Arizona. He teaches courses in Latin, classical literature, and the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean world. PhD, Classical Art and Archaeology, University of Michigan MA, Classics, University of Arizona BA, English and Anthropology, University of Arizona His research focuses on the archaeology of Republican Italy, especially Pompeii and the sacred landscapes of the Tolfa Mountains. He has been Excavation Supervisor for the Pompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia since 2006 and is currently co-authoring its final excavation report. His work on waste management in ancient cities, particularly the reuse of refuse in construction, has been published in leading journals such as the American Journal of Archaeology . He also explores material culture theory, formation processes in archaeological deposits, and local stylistic adaptations in ritual practices. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in urban archaeology, particularly the analysis of refuse assemblages using statistical measures of heterogeneity, and the reevaluation of urban fill formation processes in Pompeii. He integrates digital methods into fieldwork, having co-authored studies on paperless data curation using tablet computers. His research bridges traditional archaeology with digital humanities and theoretical frameworks in material culture studies. Among his scientific contributions are detailed excavation reports from Pompeii and theoretical studies on votive practices and cultural agency in Romanized Italy. He has presented on topics such as refuse reuse, construction collegia, and formation processes at academic conferences. Kevin Dicus advises on archaeological field methods and digital data management. He has been involved in long-term research projects funded through academic institutions and archaeological collaborations. He is part of a multidisciplinary team at the University of Oregon and collaborates with scholars at institutions like the University of Cincinnati and Tulane University. His current book project focuses on waste management strategies in ancient urban settings.

Kristin De TroyerView profile

Professor

• Septuagint Studies
• Textual History of the Old Testament
• Greek Biblical Manuscripts
• +3 more

Kristin De Troyer is a full-time Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at the University of Salzburg within the Faculty of Catholic Theology , Department of Biblical Studies and Church History. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in Septuagint studies and textual history of the Hebrew Bible. Current academic rank: Professor Key affiliations: Claremont Graduate University (emerita), University of St Andrews (honorary professor), St Katherine’s College San Diego (visiting professor) Educational Background: BA in Religious Studies (1983), Philosophy (1984), Theology (1986), Leuven, Belgium MA in Religious Studies (1986), Theology (1987), Leuven Dr. theol. (1997), Leiden University Research Focus centers on the Septuagint’s role as a critical lens for understanding the textual transmission and theological reinterpretation of the Hebrew Bible. Her work addresses text-critical challenges in Greek manuscripts, liturgical concepts across Semitic and Hellenistic traditions, and the socio-political dimensions of scriptural canon formation. Recent projects include the Biblical Online Synopsis Salzburg (BOSS 1.0) , which digitizes comparative biblical texts. Scientific Awards include: 2025: Distinguished Fellow, Hebrew University of Jerusalem 2022: Best Online Teaching Award, Faculty of Catholic Theology, Salzburg 2020: Member, European Academy of Sciences and Arts 2019: Presidium Member, Austrian Research Society Collaborative Projects and editorial leadership in journals like Journal for the Study of the Old Testament highlight her contributions to interdisciplinary biblical scholarship.

Anne HardgroveView profile

Associate Professor

• South Asia
• Cultural and Social History
• World History
• +3 more

Anne Hardgrove is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at San Antonio, specializing in South Asian studies and interdisciplinary research. She holds a B.A. from Carleton College and a Ph.D. in Anthropology and History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her work explores regional identity formation, transnational sexuality, and cultural memory. Education: B.A. (Carleton College), Ph.D. (University of Michigan) Her research spans South Asian cultural and social history, with a focus on marginalized communities, legal frameworks, and the interplay of tradition and modernity. Publications include Community and Public Culture: The Marwaris in Calcutta c. 1897 - 1997 and analyses of hijra marginalization and postcolonial lawfare dynamics. Recent articles investigate topics like hijra legal marginalization (2024), transnational identity (2018), and colonial architectural commodification (2002). Themes include gender, class, diaspora, and visual culture. 2005: NEH Faculty Research Award 2000 & 1999: American Historical Association Gutenberg-e Prizes 1997: Harry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholars Award She has received grants including The Translator (2020) and A History of the Burton Translation (2005), supporting her work on cultural and gendered narratives in South Asia.