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Research

Exploring the foundations of human civilization

The Department of Classics serves as a pivotal center for humanities research, dedicated to the comprehensive study of ancient Greece and Rome. This academic pursuit spans a vast chronological spectrum, from the emergence of Greek culture in the Bronze Age through the decline of the Roman Empire and into late antiquity.

A triptych featuring three distinct images: a fresco fragment of two women with dark hair and ornate jewelry, a carved ivory panel depicting a crowned figure on horseback, and a painted dome ceiling with elaborate gold ornamentation and figures.
Left: "Ladies in Blue" fresco at Knossos Palace, minoan archaeological site in Crete, Greece. Center: The Barberini ivory, a late Leonid/Justinian Byzantine ivory leaf from an imperial diptych, from an imperial workshop in Constantinople in the first half of the sixth century (Louvre) By Marie-Lan Nguyen (2011). Right: Santa Sabrin Cathedral, Rome, Italy.

Our scholarly endeavors are designed not only to illuminate historical periods but also to provide profound perspectives on enduring questions concerning culture, societal structures, and the human condition. This research is characterized by its inherently interdisciplinary nature, fostering dynamic collaborations with allied fields, such as early Christian and medieval studies, and with departments, such as theology, the Program of Liberal Studies, art history, political science, philosophy, and the School of Architecture.

The department's extensive chronological and thematic reach underscores our foundational role in humanities scholarship. The strong emphasis on interdisciplinary engagement is a deliberate choice, signifying that research is not confined. This approach leads to the formulation of richer, more intricate questions and the adoption of diverse methodologies, especially literary, linguistic, historical, and archaeological.

  1. Collage of Classics Department activities: A fragment of ancient greek inscription, carved on marble block; A hand points at architectural drawings, and a woman presents a copy of Homer's Odyssey near an ancient Greek vase.

    Areas of Excellence

    We are committed to scholarly excellence across the discipline.

  2. Eight book covers on Classics topics, including "Timaeus of Tauromenium and Hellenistic Historiography," "How to Make Money: An Ancient Guide to Wealth Management," "Augustinus Enarrationes in Psalmos 61-70," "The Voices of the Consul," "The Cambridge Companion to the Writings of Julius Caesar," "The Neighborhoods of Augustan Rome," "Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days," and "Death and Dynasty in Early Imperial Rome."

    Faculty Bookshelf

    Resent publications from our esteemed faculty.

  3. An older person with a white head covering, draped in gold and purple, reads a thick, teal and white book. Two nude figures stand behind, one holding a red and yellow staff.

    Conferences

    We are proud to host and co-host conferences that illuminate research in the field.

While we do not maintain our own dedicated research facilities, laboratories, or unique collections, our scholars and students benefit substantially from the extensive resources available across the broader University and through robust international collaborations, which regularly allow our students to conduct research in Greece and Rome.

This collaborative framework enhances the depth and contemporary relevance of Classics research, thereby making it more impactful in addressing fundamental questions of civilization that continue to resonate today.