معرفی
Michael Fontaine is a Professor of Classics at Cornell University, where he teaches courses on Ancient Rome, the Art of Humor, Greek Mythology, Wine Culture, and Latin literature across all time periods. He serves as a Faculty Associate at the Institute for European Studies and will become Director of Cornell's Program on Freedom and Free Societies in Fall 2025, succeeding colleague Barry Strauss.
His academic background spans Greek and Latin literature, Ancient Roman and Greek society, and the Renaissance. Fontaine has a particular interest in the effective use of humor in diplomacy, willpower, free speech, and wine culture.
Fontaine's research focuses on several interconnected areas:
- Ancient humor and its application in modern contexts, especially in diplomacy and the workplace
- Classical perspectives on willpower, self-control, and moral decision-making
- Free speech and intellectual freedom through ancient philosophical lenses
- The cultural significance of wine in ancient societies
- Mental distress and emotional healing as addressed in classical literature
- Renaissance reception of classical texts
His publications reveal a consistent pattern of exploring ancient wisdom for contemporary challenges, with particular emphasis on practical applications of classical thought. Fontaine has written extensively on humor as a social and diplomatic tool, with several recent publications examining ancient jokes and their relevance to modern communication.
Fontaine has received attention beyond academia, having been parodied on Saturday Night Live. He also engages with the public through popular writing, including articles for Medium where he explains classical concepts in accessible ways.
He teaches both traditional university courses and eCornell programs for business executives worldwide, focusing on leadership lessons from Ancient Rome and the effective use of humor in professional settings.
