Thomas Blank

Thomas Blank is a Professor of Ancient Cultural History at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) since August 2016, affiliated with the Department of History. Previously, he held positions as Junior Professor of Greek History at Saarland University (2013-2016) and served as Acting Chair of Ancient History at the University of Münster (2019-2020). His academic trajectory includes research assistantships in Tübingen and Mainz.

Education:

• Dr. phil. in Ancient History (summa cum laude) from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2012)
• State Examination in History, Latin, and Greek from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2007)
• Undergraduate studies in History, Latin, and Greek at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2001-2007)

Research Focus: Blank's work centers on ancient rhetoric's intersection with political philosophy (especially in Classical Athens), Roman religious practices, and cultural communication mechanisms. He investigates how social 'third spaces' form through religious secrecy, neighborly relations, and theatrical performance. Current projects include urban foreignness studies and the cultural role of Graeco-Roman rhetoric.

Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles demonstrate consistent focus on Isocratean rhetoric, political communication in Athenian/Roman contexts, and reception of antiquity in modern media. Methodologically, they blend historical analysis with literary criticism and cultural theory, frequently examining power dynamics through rhetorical frameworks.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Research Scholarship from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2008-2010)
• Study Grant from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2002-2007)

Academic Leadership: Blank directs doctoral candidates in projects ranging from Athenian legal systems to Ptolemaic athletic competitions. He leads the DFG-funded graduate program 'Urban Difference' and co-leads subprojects in the LOEWE Center 'DynaRel' and MSCA-DN 'TheSPIS'. As liaison lecturer for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2015, he mentors scholarship recipients.

Professional Engagement: Secretary General of the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (ISHR) and founding president of Societas Isocratica. He has held administrative roles including Managing Director of JGU's History Department (2022-2023) and serves on multiple academic committees.