Post-doctoral fellowship in Classical Studies (historiography and history of pre-Roman Italy) (3 years, full-time)

Offer Description

As part of the research project “Identity(ies) and representation(s) of Rome and Italy in the Early and Mid-Republican periods (6th - 3rd c. BC)”, funded by the FNRS (Mandat d'Impulsion Scientifique, 2024-2027), the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters (FIAL) and the Institute of Civilizations, Arts and Letters (INCAL) of the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium) are inviting applications for a post-doctoral fellowship in Classical Studies.

Candidates are invited to send their application in electronic format including the following documents:

1. CV
2. Letter of motivation
3. A proposal for a personal research project that can be integrated into the overall project (see project rationale below) (max. 2 pages)
4. Copy of doctoral diploma and defense report, if applicable.
5. Contact details of two referees.

Research can be conducted in English or French.

Global project rationale:

Title: Identity(ies) and representation(s) of Rome and Italy in the Early- and Mid-Republican periods (6th-3rd centuries BC)

The period corresponding to what is traditionally known as pre-Roman Italy is undoubtedly one of the most controversial in the peninsula's ancient history. Firstly, because of a certain paucity of direct, contemporary information, but also because the literary sources that provide us with information, which postdate the events recounted by several centuries, have passed on to us a narrative full of pitfalls and riddled with interpretations, in which the shaped vision of an imperialist Rome, predestined to impose its law on the whole of Italy and beyond, prevails. A vision that certainly deserves to be nuanced, in line with recent research. The aim of the present project is to question Romano-centrism in literary sources dealing with the archaic period and to explore the ways to break out of a dichotomous conception of identity and the representation of oneself and others. The main lines of the project are:

1/ The study of the narrative and ideological principles that have determined and influenced the composition of historiographical literary narratives. It will also examine how these literary narratives can be used to derive relevant historical information. There are still many differing points of view on the biases of interpretation affecting the history of Rome, Latium and pre-Roman Italy. The project will encourage a broader perspective (including a comparative dimension) on the use of historiographical texts and interpretation bias.

2/ The study of archaic social structures. The very nature of patricio-plebeian society as described by our late sources has always raised many questions. A number of recent studies have highlighted a reality that is undoubtedly even more complex, drawing increasing attention to its gentilicial or clan component. The project will focus on a little-investigated aspect: changes over time and the stages of transition between clan and civic models. Literary sources tend to present social structures and institutions, once established in the regal period, as virtually unchanging over the following centuries. Making changes, transitions and mutations a study object in itself will allow us to determine whether the Early Republican period was not a time of greater metamorphosis than is generally thought, whether in Rome, Latium or among the Italic peoples. Ultimately, the project will assess the impact of these mutations on the definition of identity (particularly that of the elites). To achieve this objective, a multi-disciplinary approach, particularly sociological and anthropological, will be encouraged.

3/ The study of state formation and the development of Roman imperialism. This third axis of the project will build on the previous two to assess the complexity of the phenomenon of state formation, in particular the way in which traditional elites and clans positioned themselves in the face of the growing importance assumed by the new component of citizen-soldiers and by the new elite that emerged from them. In particular, this will involve looking at the extent to which the frequent institutional changes described in our sources for this period may reflect – beyond the picture painted by historiographical accounts – a city in the making, as well as profound changes in state structures. Another important aspect of the project is the parallel processes of state formation (some leading to cities, others to federations). The aim will be to study the interactions and interferences between these processes, which could explain the complexity, as well as the surprising balance and inclusiveness of the resulting Roman state apparatus. A comparative approach with situations in other regions of the ancient Mediterranean world (notably Greece) will be encouraged.

Requirements

Research Field History » Ancient history

Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Language sciences » Philology

Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Literature » European literature

Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Hold a PhD with thesis in Classics, Ancient History or Archaeology for a maximum of 6 years at the project start date

Languages ENGLISH

Level Good

Languages FRENCH

Level Basic

Additional Information

Benefits

Salary : between €3,002.95 and €3,210.25 net per month (depending on seniority) + €4,500 operating credit (for 3 years) + payment of home-university public transport pass in Belgium.

Eligibility criteria

Special mobility condition : not to have resided or carried out their main activity (employment, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months during the last 3 years immediately preceding the project start date.

Selection process

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee. Those ranked highest may be invited to an oral interview. Final decisions will be announced no later than Friday, May 31, 2024.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute UCLouvain

Country Belgium

City Louvain-la-Neuve

Postal Code 1348

Street Place cardinal Mercier 31

Where to apply

E-mail nicolas.meunier@uclouvain.be

Contact

City Louvain la Neuve

Website https://uclouvain.be/

Street Place de l'Université 1

Postal Code 1348