Dariusz Słapek

Dariusz Słapek is a Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University's Faculty of History and Archeology, where he leads the Department of Ancient and Medieval History. Born on July 29, 1961, in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, he specializes in Roman history, particularly gladiatorial games, ancient slavery, and sports. His doctoral thesis (1994) on the political role of gladiatorial spectacles in the late Roman Republic evolved into the award-winning monograph Gladiatorzy i polityka (1995).

His research spans:

• Agonistics in ancient Greece and Rome
• Social dynamics of Roman slavery
• Reception of antiquity in modern culture
• Historical documentation of Polish sports

He established the Lublin Center for Sports History Documentation and created Poland's largest virtual sports museum.

Award highlights include:

• Minister's Award (1995), Silver Olympic Laurel (2012)
• Gold Cross of Merit (2017)
• History Book of the Year (2010)

He edits the series Moje lubelskie sportowe wspomnienia and actively promotes antiquity through Stowarzyszenie Historyków Starożytności.