My research examines how people, objects, materials, and environments shaped the ancient and medieval worlds. Through the combined study of texts, archaeology, and material culture, I investigate the histories of empires, cities, frontiers, landscapes, and the circulation of things across the Mediterranean and Near East.
After the Lead Age: A New History of Roman Britain
The Cultural Necrology of Things
Levantine Lead Coffins
Recent Lectures and Seminars
University of Chicago, Ancient Societies Workshop (2026).
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Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Museum of Art, Julius Fund Lecture in Byzantine Art (2025).
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Dumbarton Oaks (Trustees for Harvard University) (2022).
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New York University, Institute of Fine Arts, Seminar on Ancient Art and Archaeology (2019).
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Recent Fellowships
Professorial Fellow, Humanities Institute, Pennsylvania State University (2022–2023).
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Visiting Scholar, Dumbarton Oaks (Trustees for Harvard University) (2021).
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Visiting Fellow, Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies, Princeton University (2020).
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Andrew W. Mellon Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2019–2020).
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Selected Books
New Rome: Empire in the East (2021)
A Times of London Top 25 History Book.
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The Serpent Column: A Cultural Biography (2016)
The Byzantine World (2010)
Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor (2010)
The Legend of Basil the Bulgar-Slayer (2003)
Byzantium's Balkan Frontier (2000)
Teaching
I currently teach courses on World History to CE 1300, Greek Civilization, Roman Civilization, Ancient Cities, and Death and the Afterlife in Antiquity. I have taught many courses in the past on Late Antiquity, Byzantium, and the Medieval World (notably on Holy War and the Crusades).
Links and Legacies
Selected publications and papers are available through Academia.edu: