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Dr Peter Martin

Positions held:
  • Lecturer, School of Historical Studies
  • Overview

    Overview

    Web profiles

    Administrative responsibilities

    • Programme Director -- BA in Classical Studies and Classics
    • Admissions Tutor -- BA in Classical Studies and Classics

    ORCID

    0009-0005-0963-598X

  • Research

    Research

    Research interests

    • Greek and Roman historiography
    • Hellenistic epigraphy
    • Ancient Greek Political Thought
    • The Old Oligarch, 'The Athenian Constitution'
    • Achaemenid Persia
    • Descriptions of physical appearances in the ancient world

    Research overview

    I am an ancient Greek historian, working mostly on ancient Greek and Roman history writing, and ancient Greek political thought and epigraphy. Before joining Birkbeck this academic year (2026–27), I was a Mary and Moses Finley research fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge. 

    Coming out this April (2027) is my first book, 'The Changing Character of Greek and Roman Historiography'. In it, I identify four conventions within ancient history writing that were transformed over time, and then offer explanations as to why these transformations occurred. 

    I'm currently working on fifth-century BCE political thought, with a focus on the Old Oligarch's Athenian Constitution; political differentiation among Hellenistic city-states, with a focus on epigrahy in the Cyclades; and the relationship between Thucydides and the epigraphy of his time period.

  • Supervision and teaching

    Supervision and teaching

    Supervision

    I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students who are interested in undertaking research in any of my areas of research interest.

    Teaching

    Teaching modules

    • The Ancient World
    • Ancient Empires: Persia, Athens, Macedon
    • Democracy: Ancient and Modern
    • Mastering Ancient Greece
    • London: Places, Objects, Ideas