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Hans Beck serves as Professor of Greek History at the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität) since 2018, with an additional appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts at McGill University. His academic career includes previous positions as Professor of Ancient History and Director of Classical Studies at McGill University (2005-2018), Heisenberg Fellow at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (2004-2005), and Research Assistant at the University of Cologne (1997-2004). Beck earned his academic training through doctoral studies at the Universities of Erlangen, Canterbury, and Cambridge (1989-1996), followed by a fellowship at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC (2001-2002). His educational background reflects a strong international foundation in classical studies. His research spans multiple interconnected fields within ancient history, with particular emphasis on the history and culture of ancient Greece, historical geography of Greece, environmental studies of the ancient Greek world, political culture of the Roman Republic, and ancient historiography. Beck's work consistently explores themes of localism, federalism, and political structures across ancient societies, with notable contributions to understanding Greek city-states, regional identities, and comparative political systems. His approach often bridges geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives to examine how ancient communities organized themselves politically and maintained regional identities within larger frameworks. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on local political structures within broader contexts, particularly examining how Greek city-states maintained autonomy while participating in federal leagues. His work increasingly incorporates comparative approaches, connecting Greek political structures with those of Rome and even ancient China, reflecting his editorial work on cross-cultural studies. Beck demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing how physical landscapes shaped political organization and how religious practices reinforced regional identities. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Anneliese Maier Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2014) Heisenberg Fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2004) Doctoral scholarship from German Academic Exchange Service (1995) Doctoral scholarship from Hanns Seidel Foundation (1994) Beck has supervised numerous doctoral students including Jordan Christopher (2022), Chandra Giroux (2021), Wentian Fu (2020), Rebecca Robinson (2017), Alex McAuley (2015), and François Gauthier (2015), covering diverse topics from ancient Qin and Macedon to cult practices in ancient empires. His academic leadership extends to directing research projects B3-49 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and B3-40 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece' within the Excellence Cluster focusing on 'Religious Diversity and Legal-Political Unity.' As head of the project 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece,' Beck leads interdisciplinary research teams examining archaeological and historical evidence from the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amyklai and its surroundings. His work integrates textual analysis with material culture studies, creating comprehensive approaches to understanding ancient regional identities and religious practices. Beck's leadership in these projects demonstrates his commitment to bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries in classical studies.

• History and culture of ancient Greece
• Historical geography of Greece
• Historical environmental studies of ancient Greece
• +5 more

Thomas Blank is a Professor of Ancient Cultural History at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) since August 2016, affiliated with the Department of History. Previously, he held positions as Junior Professor of Greek History at Saarland University (2013-2016) and served as Acting Chair of Ancient History at the University of Münster (2019-2020). His academic trajectory includes research assistantships in Tübingen and Mainz. Education: Dr. phil. in Ancient History (summa cum laude) from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2012) State Examination in History, Latin, and Greek from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2007) Undergraduate studies in History, Latin, and Greek at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2001-2007) Research Focus: Blank's work centers on ancient rhetoric's intersection with political philosophy (especially in Classical Athens), Roman religious practices, and cultural communication mechanisms. He investigates how social 'third spaces' form through religious secrecy, neighborly relations, and theatrical performance. Current projects include urban foreignness studies and the cultural role of Graeco-Roman rhetoric. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles demonstrate consistent focus on Isocratean rhetoric, political communication in Athenian/Roman contexts, and reception of antiquity in modern media. Methodologically, they blend historical analysis with literary criticism and cultural theory, frequently examining power dynamics through rhetorical frameworks. Awards & Fellowships: Research Scholarship from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2008-2010) Study Grant from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2002-2007) Academic Leadership: Blank directs doctoral candidates in projects ranging from Athenian legal systems to Ptolemaic athletic competitions. He leads the DFG-funded graduate program 'Urban Difference' and co-leads subprojects in the LOEWE Center 'DynaRel' and MSCA-DN 'TheSPIS'. As liaison lecturer for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2015, he mentors scholarship recipients. Professional Engagement: Secretary General of the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (ISHR) and founding president of Societas Isocratica. He has held administrative roles including Managing Director of JGU's History Department (2022-2023) and serves on multiple academic committees.

• Ancient Cultural History
• Greek History
• Roman History
• +6 more

Elena Chepel is Guest Professor of 'Gender in Manuscript Cultures' at Universität Wien, specializing in Greek papyrology and Graeco-Roman cultural history. Her research examines Ptolemaic festival culture, Memphis material artifacts, and Byzantine epistolography. Key research areas: Papyrological analysis of Ptolemaic administrative documents Terracotta artifacts from Graeco-Roman Memphis Festival programs and dynastic ideology Byzantine letter collections Recent publications include studies of fertiliser production records, museum collections of Greek papyri, and festival programs from Deir el-Banat.

• Greek Papyrology
• Ancient Religion
• Ptolemaic Egypt
• +1 more

Patrick Sänger is a Professor of Ancient History at the University of Münster, where he also serves as Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy since November 2020. His academic career spans institutions including the University of Vienna, University of Kiel, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He specializes in the administrative, legal and social history of the eastern Mediterranean from Hellenism to Late Antiquity, with particular focus on Ephesus, Jewish Diaspora, and minority communities in antiquity. His educational background includes a Mag. phil. in Ancient History from the University of Vienna (1997-2004), doctoral studies at the same institution (2004-2009), and a Habilitation in Ancient History and Papyrology completed in 2017. Sänger has held various academic positions, progressing from research assistant to his current professorship at Münster since 2018. Sänger's research interests center on administrative systems in Hellenistic and Roman periods, particularly the politeuma system as an organizational form for minority communities, military diasporas, and the social history of Ephesus. His work combines epigraphic, papyrological, and historical analysis to understand legal frameworks, migration patterns, and cultural integration in antiquity. Recent projects focus on cult spaces in Ephesus and late antique ostraca from the region. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with military history, legal frameworks, and minority communities across the Greek and Roman world. He has edited significant volumes on military diasporas and migration in the ancient world, while his monograph on the Ptolemaic politeuma system represents a major contribution to understanding how Hellenistic kingdoms managed ethnic diversity. Sänger has received notable recognition including membership at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (2014), an APART-Fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2013), and the Klaus-Georg und Sigrid Hengstberger Prize from Heidelberg University (2010). As an academic mentor, he has supervised doctoral research on religious practices in Ephesus, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge of ancient urban religious landscapes. His external engagements include leadership roles in the Center for Digital Humanities at Münster and membership in international scholarly organizations focused on epigraphy and papyrology.

• Ancient History
• Papyrology
• Epigraphy
• +7 more

Louise Gestermann serves as Associate Professor at the University of Tübingen's Institute for Ancient Near Eastern Studies within the Faculty of Humanities, while maintaining her primary position as Extraordinary Professor at the University of Bonn. Her scholarly work focuses on Ancient Egyptian funerary traditions and Middle Kingdom socio-political structures. Her academic formation includes: Magister Artium in Göttingen (1981) PhD at University of Tübingen (1985) on Middle Kingdom administration Habilitation at University of Bonn (1997) on late-period Coffin Texts transmission Professor Gestermann's research centers on the evolution of Egyptian funerary literature, particularly the Coffin Texts and Book of the Dead, examining textual transmission across historical periods. Her work bridges philological analysis with archaeological context, revealing how funerary practices reflected societal changes during the Middle Kingdom's political transformations. She has made significant contributions to understanding scribal traditions and religious syncretism in ancient Egypt. Her recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on Theban tomb complexes, especially the Monthemhet tomb (TT 34) decoration program, while maintaining scholarly engagement with Middle Kingdom political history and funerary text variants. This dual concentration reveals connections between administrative structures and religious expression in pharaonic Egypt. Research funding includes a two-year Fritz Thyssen Foundation grant (2012-2014) for the Monthemhet tomb project and a Lower Saxony state PhD scholarship (1990). She has directed fieldwork components for German-Spanish-Egyptian missions in Thebes and participated in Kōm al-ahmar excavations. Professor Gestermann has contributed to major collaborative projects including the Adolf Erman estate processing at University of Bremen (2002-2006) and co-edited significant Egyptological reference works. Her interdisciplinary approach connects textual analysis with material culture studies across multiple excavation sites.

• Ancient Egyptian funerary texts
• Transmission of funerary texts
• Cultural history of the Middle Kingdom

Prof. Dr. Martina Minas-Nerpel is Professor of Egyptology at the University of Trier since March 2018, where she leads research on Egyptian religion, cultural history of Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt, ruler ideology, and hieroglyphic temple texts. Her work bridges philological analysis with archaeological context, focusing particularly on intercultural dynamics during periods of political transition. Her educational background includes a Magister Artium in Egyptology and Classical Archaeology from University of Trier (1991), Master of Philosophy in Egyptology from University of Oxford (1993), and PhD from University of Trier (1998). She completed her habilitation at Trier in 2004, establishing her expertise in Ptolemaic royal ideology. Minas-Nerpel's research interests center on the complex interplay between Egyptian and Hellenistic/Roman cultural elements, particularly examining how Ptolemaic queens navigated dual identities, how temple architecture reflected political realities, and how religious practices evolved under foreign rule. Her work reveals how Egyptian institutions maintained continuity while adapting to new political frameworks. Analysis of her recent publications (2017-2025) shows consistent focus on Ptolemaic queenship, temple architecture under Roman rule, and cultural syncretism. Her work increasingly examines gender dimensions of power, religious innovation during political crises, and the material expression of ideological concepts through temple decoration and ritual practices. Dissertationspreis der Universität Trier (1999) Feodor Lynen-Forschungsstipendiatin der Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (2002) Getty Research Scholar at Getty Museum, Los Angeles (2016-2017) Gerda Henkel-Stiftung research grants (2005-2006, 2008-2009) Minas-Nerpel directs two major international projects: the Belgian-German Epigraphic Mission to Karnak (since 2018), documenting Ptolemaic restoration work at Karnak Temple, and the Shanhur Temple Project (since 2010), analyzing the Roman-period Temple of Isis at Shanhur. These projects involve substantial collaborations with European institutions and receive funding from the FNRS-UNamur, CFEETK, Gerda Henkel Foundation, and EPSRC (UK). Her leadership in these projects has resulted in significant publications, including multi-volume studies of temple inscriptions and decorative programs that provide comprehensive analyses of religious and political expression in ancient Egyptian temples during periods of foreign rule.

• Egyptian Religion
• Cultural History of Ptolemaic Egypt
• Cultural History of Roman Egypt
• +5 more

Louise Gestermann is an Associate Professor at the University of Bonn , Egyptological Department. Her research focuses on Ancient Egyptian funerary texts , transmission of funerary traditions , and Cultural history of the Middle Kingdom . She has held visiting professorships at the University of Heidelberg, Tübingen, and Munich. Education: Studied Egyptology, Sociology, Classical Archaeology, and Near Eastern Archaeology (Mainz, Göttingen, Tübingen) MA in Göttingen (1981) PhD in Tübingen (1985): "Politics and Administration of the Middle Kingdom" Habilitation in Bonn (1997): "Late period transmission of the coffin texts" Her research includes a Fritz Thyssen Foundation -funded project (2012-2015) on tomb decoration programs in Thebes-West. She has collaborated on the Adolf Erman estate project (2002-2006) and German-Spanish-Egyptian tomb excavations (2006-2012). Recent publications analyze: Coffin Texts diachronic transmission Decorative programs in Osireion at Abydos Divine wrath/mercy in Egyptian theology Textual evolution from Pyramid Texts to Book of the Dead Narrative structures in Egyptian letters Scientific affiliations include the International Association of Egyptologists . She has co-edited critical series including Manuscripts of Ancient Egyptian Funerary Texts and Studies on Ancient Egyptian Funeral Texts .

• Ancient Egyptian funerary texts
• Transmission of funerary texts
• Cultural history of the Middle Kingdom
• +3 more

Burkhard Emme is a Researcher at the Institute of Classical Archaeology within the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Free University of Berlin, where he has been employed since January 1, 2013. He also serves as Deputy academic advisor for the bachelor's program. His academic journey began with studies in Classical Archaeology, Ancient History, Arabic Studies, and Islamic Studies at the Universities of Göttingen and Heidelberg from 2001-2007, followed by doctoral studies at Heidelberg University (2007-2010) funded by the Gerda-Henkel Foundation. His research interests span Classical Archaeology with a focus on Greek and Roman architecture, urban studies in antiquity, Pergamon studies, sepulchral culture, and mythological iconography. Emme's work demonstrates a particular expertise in analyzing urban spaces, religious architecture, and the interplay between architectural forms and social functions in the ancient world. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on architectural analysis, particularly concerning Pergamon and Milet. The research shows a progression from early studies on courtyard architecture to more complex analyses of urban spaces, sanctuaries, and mythological representations. His work often combines detailed architectural analysis with broader historical and cultural interpretations, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches that bridge archaeology, art history, and historical studies. DAAD-Stipendium in Kairo (2004/2005) Gerda-Henkel-Stiftung funding for doctoral studies (2007-2010) Reisestipendium des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts (2011/2012) Emme has been actively involved in several significant research projects, including the Habilitation project on mythological garland sarcophagi, comprehensive studies of Pergamon's Lower Agora, research on the reception of the Pergamon Altar in archaeological scholarship, and documentation of sculptural fragments from the Potsdam City Palace. His collaborative work with the German Archaeological Institute and Mimar-Sinan University Istanbul demonstrates his commitment to international scholarly cooperation. His laboratory and field work primarily focuses on archaeological documentation, architectural analysis, and historical reconstruction, particularly in the context of ancient Greek and Roman urban spaces. Emme has contributed to exhibitions, such as the 2015 campus.leben featured exhibition on the Pergamon Altar, where he served as a key researcher examining the altar's research history and visual reconstructions.

• Classical Archaeology
• Greek and Roman Architecture
• Urban Studies in Antiquity
• +4 more

Stefan Pfeiffer is Professor of Ancient History at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where he holds the Chair of Ancient History within the Faculty of Philosophy I and the Seminar for Ancient History. Previously, he served as Professor for Antiquity and Europe at Chemnitz University of Technology (2010-2013), where he also acted as Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy from 2012-2013. He has held visiting professorships at institutions including Montpellier (2018), Paris (2021), and Macquarie University in Sydney (2025). His academic background includes a Magister Artium in History, Egyptology and Classical Archaeology (2001) and a doctorate in Ancient History with specialization in Egyptology and Papyrology (2004), both from the University of Trier, where he also completed his Habilitation in Ancient History (2007). His early career included research positions in the Collaborative Research Center 'Foreigners and the Poor' at the University of Trier (2002-2008) and academic appointments at Mannheim and Münster universities. Professor Pfeiffer's research focuses on the complex interplay between Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. His work examines ruler cults, religious syncretism, multicultural societies in Greco-Roman Egypt, and multilingual texts including the Decree of Canopus and the victory stela of C. Cornelius Gallus. His monographs and edited volumes explore topics ranging from emperor worship in Alexandria to Ptolemaic ruler cults and cultural identity in the Greco-Roman world. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly engagement with imperial cults, religious practices, and cultural integration in ancient Egypt. His most recent works continue to explore the political and religious dimensions of Greco-Roman Egypt, with particular attention to epigraphical evidence and multicultural dynamics. Professor Pfeiffer serves in several significant editorial capacities, including as co-editor of the Journal of Egyptian Language and Archaeology (ZÄS), member of the editorial boards for Prague Egyptological Studies (PES) and Journal of Egyptian History (JEH), and co-editor of the Munich Contributions to Papyrus Research and Legal History. Since 2025, he has been a full member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig.

• History of Greco-Roman Egypt
• Ruler cult in antiquity
• Cultural contacts between Rome and the East
• +3 more

Annika Mayer is a researcher in the Department III - Papyrology at the University of Trier. Her work focuses on the intersection of classical philology, ancient history, and papyrology, particularly within Hellenistic and Greco-Roman contexts. Her research interests include the legitimation of rule in Ancient Macedonia, Greco-Roman Egypt, and the philological-historical analysis of Greek historians. She contributes to the digitization and interpretation of ancient papyrus texts through the PapyHyp project at Trier. Mayer's recent publications highlight her expertise in Ptolemaic and Late Antique papyri, with studies on administrative documents, epistolary practices, and philosophical debates about vegetarianism in antiquity. Her work spans textual analysis, historical reconstruction, and cultural interpretation. Current projects involve editing volumes of the Trier Papyrus Collection and exploring interdisciplinary approaches to ancient economic and legal texts. She collaborates with colleagues like JProf. Dr. Patrick Reinard and A. Habibi on advancing papyrological methodologies.

• Papyrology
• Ancient History
• Hellenistic Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Friederike Herklotz is a Lecturer at the Institute of Classical Philology at Humboldt University of Berlin, affiliated with the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship. Her research focuses on the intersection of Egyptian and Hellenistic-Roman cultures, with specialties in Augustan Egypt, Ptolemaic religious practices, and medical discourses in antiquity. She coordinates projects such as the DFG-funded 'Medicine of the Mind' initiative and has held roles including Research Coordinator at the August-Boeckh Centre and Teaching Associate in Classical Philology. Her work examines imperial propaganda, cultural syncretism, and religious institutions in the ancient Mediterranean. PhD in Egyptology and Ancient History (2004) from Humboldt University Extensive teaching experience since 2001, including courses on Kleopatra, Herodotus, and Roman-Egyptian relations Project leadership in TOPOI Excellence Cluster and Berlin Antike Kolleg Her research explores topics such as Sarapis' evolution as a syncretic deity, Augustan religious policies in Egypt, and healing cults in the ancient world. She actively participates in academic networks like the 'Marburg Talks on Ancient Medicine.'

• Classical History
• Egyptology
• Ancient Religion
• +3 more

Daniel von Recklinghausen is a researcher in Ancient Studies and Art History at the University of Tübingen, Faculty of Humanities. His career spans roles as a field director, curator, and academic collaborator, focusing on Egyptian temple inscriptions and religious practices during the Greek-Roman period. Research interests include: Inscriptions and decoration of Greek-Roman period temples History of the Greek-Roman period in Egypt Religious syncretism and iconography Hellenistic and Roman administrative texts Preservation of late Egyptian scripts Archaeological documentation methods Recent publications analyze Ptolemaic decrees, temple zodiacs, and ritual practices, emphasizing the interplay between indigenous Egyptian and imported Hellenistic elements. He leads the Tübingen Esna Project and collaborates with international institutions like CNRS (Paris) and DFG. Academic roles : 2010–2021: Researcher in the project 'The Temple as Canon of Egyptian Religion' (Tübingen) 2022–present: Researcher in the DFG-funded 'Multidimensional Philology in the Pronaos of Esna' project 2018–present: Field Director of the Tübingen Esna Project

• Egyptology
• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Ptolemaic Period
• +5 more

Professor Dr. Caroline Kreutzer is Acting Professor of Ancient History at the Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg, Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies. She has been in this position since April 2025, following several years of service as Research Assistant and Academic Advisor at the same institution. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in European History from the University of Bayreuth (2008), continued with studies in Latin, Ancient History and European Ethnology at Bamberg University (2011), and culminated in a Master's degree in 'Classical Antiquity. History and Literature' from the University of Leipzig (2013), followed by her doctoral dissertation on wisdom and age in late antiquity. Professor Kreutzer's research spans multiple interconnected fields within ancient history, with particular expertise in Roman history of the late Republic and early Imperial period, Latin epigraphy, age studies in antiquity, and Hellenistic rule practices. Her groundbreaking monograph 'Wisdom and Age in Late Antiquity' (2021) established her as a leading scholar on conceptualizations of aging in late antique Christian thought. Her current project 'Itinera regum' investigates Hellenistic royal mobility as a political phenomenon, combining numismatic, epigraphic, and literary evidence to reconstruct the ceremonial aspects of royal travels. Her publication record demonstrates impressive breadth and depth across chronological periods, from Republican Rome to Late Antiquity, with a consistent methodological focus on conceptual history and the analysis of authority structures. Recent articles in 2024-2025 have particularly emphasized Hellenistic royal entries and Ptolemaic administration, reflecting the direction of her current research project. Her work consistently bridges philological analysis with broader historical questions about power, representation, and cultural transmission. Step by Step scholarship recipient of the Women's Representative of the Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg (2019-2019) Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Bavarian Universities (Basic Level, 2017) Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Bavarian Universities (Advanced Level, 2019) Professor Kreutzer has been actively involved in academic governance, serving on committees for teaching quality and student affairs from 2023-2025. She has organized outreach activities including children's workshops on Roman history and coins (2023) and a 'Children's University' session on imperial leadership (2024). Her research has taken her to major archaeological institutes including the German Archaeological Institute in Athens (2024, 2025) and the Austrian Archaeological Institute, reflecting her international scholarly engagement. She maintains regular office hours for students and continues to develop her research while fulfilling her teaching responsibilities at Bamberg.

• Roman History
• Late Antiquity
• Latin Epigraphy
• +5 more