Christoph Schäfer

Prof. Dr. Christoph Schäfer is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Trier's Faculty III. Recognized as a leading expert in ancient shipping and multimedia history education, he has directed the reconstruction of three Roman military ships based on archaeological findings from Oberstimm and Mainz. His interdisciplinary approach has established extensive networks of scientists and engineers while developing innovative methods for collecting nautical data on ancient waterways, particularly along the Rhine and Danube.

His academic credentials include habilitation (1997) on procurators in the Roman Empire, doctorate (1990) on the Western Roman Senate under Ostrogoth kings, and studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Université Bourgogne de Dijon (1983-1988).

Professor Schäfer's research spans Hellenistic history (particularly Alexander's successor states), social and economic history of the Roman Republic and Imperial Period, late antiquity through the Migration Period, and ancient shipping technology. His experimental archaeology work combines historical scholarship with practical nautical testing, yielding significant insights into ancient vessel performance and maritime trade networks.

His scholarly recognition includes:

• Member of the Academia Europaea (since 2013)
• Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (since 2007)
• Fellowship at the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Sciences
• Comenius EduMedia Award for 'Romans and Teutons - Confrontation and Integration'

Professor Schäfer has secured major research funding including the current DFG project 'Maritime Connections and Their Influence on Ancient Maritime Trade' (2021-2030) and the 'Research-Based Learning - Teaching Research' interdisciplinary student program. His ship reconstruction projects have provided valuable hands-on learning experiences for students.

As spokesperson and board member of the TRANSMARE Institute, Professor Schäfer leads innovative research bridging traditional historical scholarship with experimental archaeology and digital humanities, creating a unique interdisciplinary environment that transforms how we understand ancient maritime capabilities.