Catharine Edwards

Prof Catharine Edwards holds the position of Professor of Classics & Ancient History at Birkbeck, University of London, within the School of Historical Studies. She specializes in Roman cultural history, Latin literature (particularly Seneca and Cicero), and the reception of antiquity in 19th-century European culture. She earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the British Academy (2021).

Research Interests:

• Subjectivity, gender, and self-construction in ancient texts
• Roman cultural history with focus on late Republic/early Principate
• Reception studies, especially 19th-century interpretations of Rome

Teaching & Supervision: Leads modules on Roman history, Latin literature, and classical reception. Currently supervises 5 PhD students including Alex Smith (Ovid's Heroides commentary) and Andrew Regan (classical receptions in Burton/Browne). Notable alumni include Alexandra Atkins (classical portrait busts in 18th-century country houses).

Key Contributions: Authored/edited major works such as Seneca: Selected Letters (2019), Roman Presences (2007), and Death in Ancient Rome (2007). Her research bridges ancient texts with modern cultural formations, exploring how classical antiquity shapes later identities.