Research
Greek Literature, Epigraphy and Culture
I have worked for years on divine epiphany in Greek literature, epigraphy and culture and have produced a monograph, which appeared with Oxford University Press. link to book and publisher's webpage
Divine Epiphany in Ancient Greek Literature and Culture (ISBN978-0-19-872392-9) argues that the study of divine epiphany is vital for an in-depth understanding of Greek literature, religion and cultural production in general. Re-establishing epiphany as a crucial mode in Greek religious thought and practice, underlining its centrality in Greek cultural production, and foregrounding its impact on both the political and the societal organisation of the ancient Greeks are the three main aims of the book. For a review of the book, see http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2016/2016-09-36.html
Ancient history of medicine and patient history
I am interested in ancient history of medicine, as well as ancient and modern patient history. This is what we often call 'history of medicine from below'. I pationaltely believe that studing the ancient medical texts and related material objects (inscriptions, amulets, votives, etc.) could help even modern day healthcare providers to improve the quality of the patient care. Ancient exempla can and should be taken into consideration when considering modern challenges in healthcare.
Some of these ideas have foudn their way in a co-edited volume (with Chiara Thumiger) on the voice and the role of the patient in antiquity, which is entitled:
Homo Patiens: Approaches to the Patient in the Ancient World (ISBN 9789004305557) and appeared in the Studies in Ancient Medicine series of Brill. link to the book and the publisher's webpage
Greek and Roman Religion and History of Religions
I am eternally fascinated by people's religious beliefs, ideas and practices. My interests lie primarily with the Graeco-Roman world, but I am also interested in early Christianity and the research field that for lack of a better world is referred to as 'magic' or 'superstition'. The elective cults or religions that we often call 'mystery cults' is one of my favourite research fields.
I have just finished preparing a co-edited book (with Richard Gordon and Jörg Rüpke) entitled
Beyond Priesthood: Religious Entrepreneurs and Innovators in the Imperial Era, which will appear in July 2017 with the Religionsgeschichtliche Versuche und Vorarbeiten series of DeGruyter.link to the book and the publisher's webpage
Research grants
Healing Rituals, Patient-Physician Resonance, and the Lived Body: Experiencing, Communicating, and Managing Chronic Pain in Antiquity and Modernity
UNIVERSITAT ERFURT (GERMANY)
September 2023 - February 2024
The ‘Lived Body’ in Pain: Embodiment and Religion in their Socio-Cultural Contexts
UNIVERSITAT ERFURT (GERMANY)
February 2020 - July 2020
Resonating Mysteries. Medicine and Mysteries in the Second Sophistic
UNIVERSITAT ERFURT (GERMANY)
January 2018 - June 2018