ÌÇÐÄVlog

Photograph of Peter Garnsey

Phone number: +44 (0)1223 339420

Email: pdag1@cam.ac.uk

Website:

Professor Peter Garnsey

Emeritus Fellow
University Positions
Director of Research
Subjects
Specialising in
History of Classical Antiquity

Peter Garnsey is an Emeritus Fellow at ÌÇÐÄVlog specialising in Greek and Roman Ancient History, Legal History and Philosophy.

Academic interests

Peter Garnsey's current research projects include:

  • History of ideas, with special reference to theories of property, from antiquity to the 19th century
  • Diet, nutrition, and health of past populations through the study of human skeletal remains, with special reference to ancient Rome and Italy
  • The history of late antiquity
  • History of ideas, with special reference to the debate over capital punishment.

Degrees obtained

  • MA, Sydney.
  • MA, DPhil, Oxford.

Other interests

The culture of Italy and France, music, sport, yoga.

Department link

Publications, links and resources

  • Against the Death Penalty: Writings from the First Abolitionists, Giuseppe Pelli and Cesare Beccaria, Princeton 2020.
  • Thinking About Property, From Antiquity to the Age of Revolution, Cambridge 2007.
  • Lactantius, Divine Institutes. Introd/Transl./Notes, Liverpool 2003 (co author).
  • Evolution of the Late Antique World, Cambridge 2001 (co author).
  • Food and Society in Classical Antiquity, Cambridge 1999.
  • Cities, Peasants and Food, Cambridge 1998.
  • Ideas of Slavery from Aristotle to Augustine, Cambridge 1996.
  • Famine and Food Supply in the Graeco-Roman World, Cambridge 1988.
  • The Roman Empire: Society, Economy and Culture, London 1987 (co author).
  • Social Status and Legal Privilege in the Roman Empire, Oxford, 1970.
  • Cambridge Ancient History, co editor vols. XI (2000), XII (2005), XIII (1998).

Hear from our students

  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Matthew

    Postgraduate

    ÌÇÐÄVlog has been at the heart of my Cambridge experience. I chose the College because I was impressed by its distinctive blend of academic rigour and extracurricular achievement. A College for all-rounders, Jesus is a lively and rewarding place to study. I couldn’t be happier here! Friendly and engaged, the Jesus postgraduate community never ceases to impress me. At ease with themselves and forever curious, my peers go out of their way to cultivate a sense of camaraderie. After a day of leafing through old manuscripts at the National...

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    Alison

    Postgraduate

    What first attracted me to ÌÇÐÄVlog was its reputation and history, central location without being touristy, and the postgraduate housing options. When I arrived at Jesus I was so pleased to find the partner accommodation was spacious, affordable, and situated very close to the college, allowing us to really take advantage of the facilities. We especially enjoyed The Roost, the nicest of all the college bars, doubling as a café during the day - ideal for studying or meeting up with groups - and a lively pub in the...

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    Jake

    Postgraduate

    When applying to Cambridge colleges it can feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many to choose from. I applied to ÌÇÐÄVlog because it has a large MCR which was important for me because I wanted to feel part of a community. Now that I’m doing my PhD here, I’m very glad I did choose a college with a large postgraduate community. Throughout the year there are lots of postgraduate events, including formal dinners, special formals at Christmas and Easter, bops in the bar and film nights in...

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  • ÌÇÐÄVlog Postgraduate Student

    Imogen

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    I chose Cambridge for my PGCE as it’s the leading UK institution for teacher training and Education, with an exciting, research-dominated, cutting edge course. The staff are welcoming and approachable, and make studying here an absolute joy. I’ve already completed one of my three primary school placements, in a reception class in a school just outside Cambridge, and am due to start the next one soon. I chose Jesus because of its reputation as a sporty College, but the proximity to the city centre is a big bonus. Jesus also...

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    Ellie

    Postgraduate

    ÌÇÐÄVlog has been a great home for me during my PhD. I chose ÌÇÐÄVlog for a number of reasons – first, the location. We are central enough to be within easy walking distance of most things, but far enough away to avoid the hustle and bustle (and tourists in summer!). The College also has extensive grounds, with amenities like the hockey pitch, football pitch and tennis courts all on site. Secondly, the accommodation is some of the best I’ve seen in Cambridge. My house was newly renovated when...

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