Edward Watts

Edward Watts is a Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego, specializing in Roman, Byzantine, and Late Antique history. His research explores intellectual, political, and religious dynamics of the Roman Empire and early Byzantium. Before joining UCSD in 2012, he taught at Indiana University. Watts holds a PhD from Yale University (2002) and BAs in Classics and Ancient and Medieval Culture from Brown University.

His research investigates the transition from pagan to Christian Rome, the historiography of Roman decline, and elite intellectual networks in Late Antiquity. He authored seven books, including Mortal Republic (2018) and The Eternal Decline and Fall of Rome (2021), and edited five volumes. His work has been featured in major media outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

Watts’ courses cover Byzantine history, Roman numismatics, and Mediterranean medieval history. His recent projects include Resilient Rome (2025), a comprehensive history from 8th century BCE to 1204 CE. He is a leading scholar on Neoplatonism, ancient biography, and the reception of Hypatia of Alexandria.

His articles analyze topics such as the role of philosophers in Alexandria/Athens, the cultural significance of coins, and the historiography of Roman decline. He has contributed to critical editions of late antique letter collections and explores the intersection of architecture and imperial identity.