Michael A. Freeman

About Me

I am an ancient Mediterranean historian and a researcher of the history of the book. My teaching and research interests lie broadly across the disciplines of ancient language and literature, social and intellectual history, religion, papyrology, and ancient myth. 

In the classroom, I specialize in teaching with texts. I bring to my classes a passion for the great, classical texts of the ancient world. My students are empowered to engage with these primary source texts as they explore literature, master languages, and craft history.

In my academic research, I am particularly interested in ancient education and in the lived experiences of ancient scribes.  My current research focuses on the scribes of Greco-Roman Egypt and asks "How did they learn their trade?" That is, how did the individuals responsible for recording and preserving the bulk of ancient history and literature acquire the skills needed to accomplish this monumental, world-changing task?