New Faculty: Nicola Denzey Lewis

Nicola Denzey Lewis

Professor, Classics

Academic focus: 

Social and intellectual history of Rome, 2nd-4th centuries, late antiquity, formation of Christianity, religion in the ancient world

Current research project: 

I’m working through ancient Roman Christian funerary inscriptions from Rome’s catacombs to investigate how ordinary people negotiated religious change.

Previous positions:

  • Margo L. Goldsmith Chair in Women’s Studies in Religion, School of Arts and Humanities, Claremont Graduate University, 2017-2026

  • Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Religion, Brown University, 2007-2017

  • Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, 2003-2007

  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History, Bowdoin College , 2001-2003

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Skidmore College, 1999-2001

Academic background:

  • Ph.D., Religions of antiquity and program in the ancient world, Princeton University, 1996

  • M.A. Religions of antiquity and program in the ancient world, Princeton University, 1994

  • B.A. Christian origins, Department of Religion, University of Toronto, 1991

Last book read:

“Wanderings Through Rome’s Ancient Churches” by Rodolfo Lanciani

In your own time/when not working:

Writing, traveling, circuit training, spending time with family

Courses you’re most looking forward to teaching:

  • Ancient Magic

  • Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World

What most excites you about Cornell: 

Outstanding colleagues, smart students, and I’m just amazed about the range of courses of study, so I am looking forward to some real cross-disciplinary conversations.

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Nicola Denzey Lewis