
Professor Johannes Baltussen
Professor
School of Humanities
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Han Baltussen (FAHA) is the ninth holder of the Hughes Chair in Classics —one of Adelaide University's two founding chairs (1874)— at the Department of Historical and Classical Studies and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. He is also an affiliate of the Department of Philosophy and the ARC Centre for the History of Emotions. After his education in Classics (BA, MA) and a doctorate in Ancient Philosophy at Utrecht University (PhD 1993), he held several postdoctoral positions (Utrecht University; Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington D.C.; Kings College London, Philosophy Dept.) and prestigious fellowships, including at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (2006), LUCAS fellow Leiden (2014), IAS Perth (2017) and the Dorothy Tarrant Fellowship, ICS/London (2023). He also served as the Head of the Classical Studies Section of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (2017–2020). He has published 3 monographs, 3 edited volumes and written numerous articles on a range of topics in ancient philosophy and intellectual history.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
My research interests cover a range of topics in intellectual history and the history of ideas -- from antiquity to the early modern age. My work has successfully connected the world of Greece and Rome with our own time, in both public talks and scholarly projects on topical subjects such as grief (see The Conversation and "The Power of the Humanities"), censorship, Stoicism. I have collaborated with colleagues on subversion and censorship (with P.J. Davis), the transmission of philosophy from the Hellenistic period to Late Antiquity (with DT Runia and J Mansfeld), and Stoicism in the Enlightenment (with Lisa Hill). I regularly give public talks and lectures to highlight the ongoing importance of human concerns so similar across time. I was co-editor of the journal Antichthon, published by Cambridge University Press 2015-2021. My current book projects concern ancient consolations, a commentary on Theophrastus' fragments, and a new translation of Eunapius' VPS for the well-known Loeb Classical Library series.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA): My research outputs go mostly towards Field of Research (FoR) 2203 Philosophy, some towards 2202, History and Philosophy of Specific Fields & 2005 Literary Studies. In the 2015 and 2018 ERA results, Philosophy at Adelaide received a score of 5 out of 5.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2011 - ongoing Walter W. Hughes Professor of Classics University of Adelaide 2002 - 2011 Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2001 - 2001 Adjunct lecturer Greek philosophy University College London 1997 - 2002 Research Associate and temporary lecturer & tutor King's College London 1997 - 2002 Chief Assistant Editor Ancient Commentators Project (0.8) King's College London -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2021 Fellowship Dorothy Tarrant Fellowship Institute of Classical Studies, London United Kingdom £5,000 2017 Fellowship Visiting Professor Institute for Advanced Study Institute for Advanced Studies, UWA Australia $3,000 2014 Scholarship Spinoza Fellow Leiden University Leiden University (LUCAS) Netherlands - 2010 Fellowship Fellowship Royal Flemish Academy Brussels Royal Academy Brussels Belgium - 2010 Research Award Faculty Research Award University of Adelaide Australia - 2009 Fellowship Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities Australian Academy of the Humanities Australia - 2006 Fellowship Member, School of Historical Studies, IAS Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton NJ United States - 1996 Scholarship Junior Fellow Centre for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University United States 40,000 -
Language Competencies
Language Competency Dutch; Flemish Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review French Can read, write and understand spoken German Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review Italian Can read -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1988 - 1993 Utrecht University Netherlands PhD 1983 - 1986 Utrecht University Netherlands MA 1978 - 1983 Utrecht University Netherlands BA -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Books
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Book Chapters
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Conference Papers
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Original Creative Works
Year Citation 2012 Authors: Baltussen JN, Share, M, Atkinson, M, Mueller, I.. Title: Simplicius, Commentary on Aristotle's Physics 1.5-9 (translated from Ancient Greek with annotations). Description: N/A. Extent: 1.5. -
Theses
Year Citation 2021 Harpas, M. (2021). Classical Ideas of Physiology and Pathology: Understandings of the Living Body in the Hippocratic Corpus. (Master's Thesis, The University of Adelaide). -
Internet Publications
Year Citation 2015 Baltussen, H., & Marks, K. (2015). Learning lessons from Antiquity about Coping with Grief. Australia Academy of the Humanities. 2012 Baltussen, J. N. (2012). Coping with Bereavement and Grief: Lessons from History. The Conversation. - Baltussen, H. (n.d.). Theophrastus of Eresus. Oxford University Press.
PROJECT | GRANTING BODY | YEAR | AMOUNT |
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Dorothy Tarrant Fellow 2020 (postponed to 2022-23 due to covid restrictions) | Institute of Classical Studies, London | 2023 | $10,000 |
Short-term fellowship | Institute for Advanced Studies (UWA) | 2017 | $3,000 |
Paper international Conference | Center for the History of Emotions (AI) | 2015 | $3,000 |
"Stoic Liberalism and the Enlightenment" (with Lisa Hill) | Australian Research Council (DP) | 2014-16 | $300,000 |
"The Dynamics of Censorship in Antiquity" (with Peter J. Davis) | Australian Research Council (DP) | 2011-13 | $249,000 |
Short-term fellowship | Leiden University (Spinoza Fellow) | 2014 | $3,000 |
Invited paper international Conference | Center for the History of Emotions (AI) | 2014 | $3,000 |
"Hitching a Ride on iPods" (podcasting to enhance student engagement) | DVC(A) eLearning grant | 2013 | $13,000 |
Overseas conference papers, archival research in UK libraries | Various Faculty Travel Grants | 2005-13 | $18,000 |
Invited paper international Conference | Center for the History of Emotions (AI) | 2012 | $3,000 |
"Ancient consolation and psychotherapy" | Australian Research Council (DP) | 2007-09 | $69,000 |
Simplicius' Methodology | Faculty Small Research Grant | 2003 | $3,500 |
International conference London | Multiple sources (UK based) | 2002 | £10,220 |
Junior Fellowship | Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington D.C. | 1996-97 | $40,000 |
Travel grant short study leave, Fondation Hardt (Geneva, Switzerland) | Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) | 1996 | €2,000 |
PhD scholarship | Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) | 1993-96 | $68,000 |
Course availability: [a] = annual cycle, [b] = biennial cycle
- CLAS 1003 Introduction to Greek and Roman History (L, T) [a]
- CLAS 1106 Introduction to Greek and Roman Literature (L, T) [a]
- CLAS 2008 Life in the Golden Age of Rome (L, T) [b]
- CLAS 2024 History of Medicine from Hippocrates to Harvey (CC, L, T) [b]
- CLAS 2029 Rome! Rise of Empire (CC, L, T) [b]
- CLAS 2032 Classical Mythology (L, T) [b]
- CLAS 2037 Athenian Democracy: Reacting to the Past (CC, L, T,) [b]
- CLAS 2038OL Latin and Greek for Scientists (summer school, online) (CC, L) [a]
- CLAS 3026 Afterlife and Underworld in Antiquity (CC, L, T) [b]
- CLAS 3030 Athens to Alexandria (capstone course) [b]
- CLAS 4001-3 Honours (common and special courses; thesis) [b]
N.B. CC=Course Coordinator; L=Lecturer; T=Tutor
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2023 Principal Supervisor Greek Physicians Under Rome: Immigration and Integration Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Chelsea May Louise Schwartz 2022 Principal Supervisor Visualising Human Anatomy and Physiology in Medical Literature (10th - 17th c.) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Mary Elizabeth Harpas 2022 Co-Supervisor Love in Gethsemane: The Consolatory Legacy of Thomas More in the Writings of English Exiles and Martyrs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mitchell Robert Thompson 2022 Principal Supervisor Legitimacy and Authoritarianism in the Late Roman Republic Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nicholas Keefe George 2021 Principal Supervisor From Magic to Medicine: The dynamics of faith and science in drug development in antiquity. Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Greg Macpherson -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2020 - 2021 Co-Supervisor ‘A lightness that is both new and a return’: Nekyia and katabasis in twenty-first century receptions of the Iliad Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Patrick James Moritz 2019 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Classical Ideas of Physiology and Pathology: Understandings of the Living Body in the Hippocratic Corpus Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Mary Elizabeth Harpas 2019 - 2021 Principal Supervisor The Ascent to the Hidden One: The Reception of the Egyptian One God in Neoplatonism and the Greek Magical Papyri Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Tiana Blazevic-Bastow 2019 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Veiled Criticism in Seneca’s Epistulae Morales Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Tamas Karoly Preston 2014 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Dental Crown Morphology Variations Associated with Congenital Syphilis and their Importance in Paleopathological Diagnosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Stella Ioannou 2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Faunus and the Fauns in Latin Literature of the Republic and Early Empire Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Tammy DI-Giusto 2012 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Venus Restrained: The Regulation of Rome's Women in the Second Punic War. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Lewis Mark Webb 2011 - 2017 Co-Supervisor A Dynamic Equilibrium: Doctors and Patients in Seventeenth Century England Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Elizabeth Connolly 2005 - 2008 Co-Supervisor Understanding and Dealing with Evil and Suffering: A Fourth Century A.D Pagan Perspective Master of Arts Master Part Time Ms Susanne Harvey Wallis
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2021 - ongoing Member Professorial Committee for Fellowship Program University of Adelaide Australia 2018 - 2018 Member ERA REC Humanities and Creative Arts University of Adelaide Australia 2014 - ongoing Member Research Committee School of Humanities University of Adelaide Australia 2014 - 2016 - Member Executive Council Australian Academy of the Humanities Australia 2011 - ongoing - Barr Smith B. Cowan Scholarship Committee University of Adelaide Australia 2009 - 2014 - Member Faculty Research Committee University of Adelaide Australia 2004 - 2008 - Chair Faculty Library Committee University of Adelaide Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2010 - ongoing Member Australian Historical Association Australia 2003 - ongoing Board Member Australasian Society of Classical Studies Australia 1998 - ongoing Member Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies (UK) United Kingdom 1997 - ongoing Member Society for Classical Studies (US) United States -
Consulting/Advisories
Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country 2020 - 2020 TEQSA College Scientific research Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2017 - ongoing Member Rutgers University Studies in the Classical Humanities Rutgers University United States 2016 - ongoing Board Member Studies in Late Antiquity - United States -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2017 - 2020 Head of Classics Section, Australian Academy Australian Academy of the Humanities Australia 2015 - ongoing Editor Antichthon: journal of ancient world studies Australasian Society for Classical Studies Australia 2014 - 2016 Council Member, Australian Academy Australian Academy of the Humanities Australia 2013 - 2017 Program Coordinator BA(Advanced) University of Adelaide Australia 2009 - 2013 Head of Department University of Adelaide Australia 2003 - ongoing Adelaide Representative Executive Board Australasian Society for Classical Studies Australia -
Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
Date Title Type Institution Country 2019 - ongoing Flemish Science Foundation Grant Assessment Flanders Science Foundation (FWO) Belgium 2015 - 2021 Editor of Antichthon (Greek materials) Editorial University of Adelaide - 2014 - ongoing Reviewer fellowship applications Grant Assessment Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton United States
Connect With Me
External Profiles