Jürgen Strothmann

Jürgen Strothmann is a lecturer in Ancient History and Medieval History at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Siegen, where he has served since May 2011 in the role of Lecturer for Special Tasks. He holds a habilitation from 2013 and a doctorate from 1996, and his academic career includes research and teaching positions at Ruhr University Bochum, University of Dortmund, University of Paderborn, and archival work at ThyssenKrupp. He is an active scholar in medieval political and cultural history, with a focus on the transition from antiquity to the early Middle Ages.

Education:

• Studied History, Ancient History, and Philosophy at Ruhr University Bochum (1986–1992)
• Master of Arts (1992)
• Promotion (PhD), June 27, 1996
• Habilitation, July 19, 2013

His research centers on the political reception of antiquity, Carolingian and Merovingian political orders, and the use of numismatic evidence—particularly Merovingian monetary coins—as sources for understanding societal structures in 7th-century Gaul. He investigates how ancient concepts of rule were adapted in medieval contexts and explores the role of civitates in maintaining political continuity after Roman rule. His current focus includes the Alpine region’s cultural and political significance between antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining historical, numismatic, and philological methods. Themes across his work include sacral kingship, symbolic representation of power, and the function of borders and space in early medieval governance. He has contributed to major reference works such as Brill's New Pauly, and his monograph Emperor and Senate examines Rome's political claims during the Hohenstaufen period.

While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his sustained scholarly output and leadership in DFG-funded projects demonstrate recognition in his field. He has supervised research assistants and contributed to collaborative academic endeavors, though no named students are listed. He has been involved in major editorial and research projects, including the interdisciplinary DFG project on Merovingian coins at the University of Paderborn (2007–2009). He is affiliated with the Research Center for Transnational Cultural History and the Research Center for Regional Cultural History at the University of Siegen.

Dr. Strothmann maintains an active research agenda, with several publications in preparation, particularly on numismatic sources and early medieval political structures. His office is located in AR-H 204 at Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, Siegen, and he can be reached via email at juergen.strothmann@uni-siegen.de.