Dr. Christopher J. Fuhrmann happily teaches classes in both the Department of History and the Department of World Languages and Cultures, including Latin and courses that explore the cultures of ancient Greece, ancient Rome and medieval Europe.

His research and writing focus on enslavement, Jewish revolts, Roman law and private security (including religion and folk beliefs regarding self-protection).

Christopher has been teaching at Hope College since fall 2024. Previously he taught at Santa Clara University and the University of North Texas, where he led several study abroad programs in Italy. 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE 

• The legal, institutional and social history of ancient Greece and Rome
• Latin and Greek language and literature
• Law and policing in the Roman Empire
• Slavery in the ancient Mediterranean world

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., history, University of North Carolina, 2005
• M.A., classics, University of Kentucky, 1999
• B.A., classics and history, University of Kentucky, 1999

HONORS, GRANTS AND AWARDS

• President’s Council Teaching Award, University of North Texas, 2020
• Finalist, Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) Award for Excellence in College Teaching, 2019
• Finalist, CAMWS First Book Award, 2013
• Finalist, the Rome Prize, American Academy in Rome, 2012 and 2013

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• “Security, Military Culture, and Public Order,” in The Oxford Handbook of Greek Cities in the Roman Empire (edited by A. Heller and M. Hallmannsecker), Oxford University Press, 2024
• “Polizei,” article on “Police” in Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum, 2016
• “How to Kill a Bishop: Organs of Christian Persecution in the Third Century,” in Recht haben und Recht bekommen im Imperium Romanum (edited by R. Haensch), Journal of Juristic Papyrology supplement, 2016
• “Dio Chrysostom as a Local Politician: A Critical Reappraisal,” In Aspects of Ancient Institutions and Geography: Studies in Honor of Richard J. A. Talbert (edited by L. L. Brice and D. Slootjes), Brill, 2015
• Policing the Roman Empire: Soldiers, Administration, and Public Order, Oxford University Press, 2012 (paperback 2014)
• Edition and translation of a second-century Greek letter on papyrus concerning a peasant sub-lease gone wrong. Oxyrhynchus Papyri volume 75, number 5054, 2010

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

• “Policing Roman Slavery,” California State University at Fresno, 2023
• “Human Trafficking in the Roman World? Perversely Re-Framing a Modern Concept,” Society for Classical Studies annual meeting, 2023
• “The Safety of Diplomatic and Private Travel in the Greco-Roman World: Two Models,” Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, 2019
• “From Hades to Hell: Post-mortem Punishments for Earthly Crimes in Ancient Religious Belief,” Association of Ancient Historians annual meeting, 2019
• “Human Trafficking and Internal Displacement in the Roman Empire,” presentation at the University of New Mexico, 2019
• “The Jewish Diaspora Revolt of 116-117 AD and the Failure of Integration,” American Historical Association annual meeting, 2016

OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE

Christopher is originally from the great state of Kentucky and is thoroughly enjoying Michigan’s beauty (even in the winter!) His hobbies include playing guitar (fairly badly), cooking (fairly well) and taking his two large dogs to the park every day.