Debate
The Roman empire and world history
- Date
- Friday 30 January 2026
- Time
- Address
- National Museum of Antiquity
Rapenburg 28
2311 TV Leiden
There has been a lot of talk about globalization and the Roman empire in recent years, the point of which has been to try and understand Rome in relation to both its Afro-Eurasian context and other ‘global empires’ in history. Peter Fibiger Bang, professor of ancient history at the University of Copenhagen, has always been at the forefront of this debate and has now brought his ideas together in a book entitled The Roman Empire and world history, just published by Cambridge University Press in their series Key Themes in Ancient History.
This afternoon, he will present this publication, which will subsequently be analyzed by five critical friends in brief responses from 10-15 minutes, to which Peter will of course reply, after which the floor is open for debate for all.
Programme
Discussion leader: Lennart Kruijer
13.00-13.05: Welcome and introduction (Miguel John Versluys)
13.05-13.30: The Roman Empire and world history: what, why, how? An introduction to the book (Peter Fibiger Bang)
13.30-14.00: Response by Saskia Stevens (with discussion)
14.00-14.30: Response by Miguel John Versluys (with discussion)
14.30-15.00: Coffee/tea break
15.00-15.30: Response by Astrid van Oyen (with discussion)
15.30-16.00: Response by Jeroen Duindam (with discussion)
16.00-16.30: Response by Miko Flohr (with discussion)
16.30-17.00: General discussion and wrap up.
17.00-18.00: Drinks
Registration
You are very welcome to join the debate. Please register by sending an email to m.j.versluys@arch.leidenuniv.nl at least a week in advance.