Richard Saller will share his expertise regarding the economics of ancient Rome with Lawrence University in an upcoming lecture.The lecture is part of the Phi Beta Kappa program, which provides distinguished scholars with the opportunity to give visits and public lectures at nearly 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Saller, a classicist and historian at the University of Chicago, is giving a talk entitled, “Growth in the Roman Imperial Economy” on Feb. 7. The lecture will be held in Wriston Auditorium at 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee, and the lecture will be open to the public.
In his lecture, Saller will talk about theories related to economic expansion in the context of increasing productivity in the Roman Empire across time. To do this, he will use evidence in the form of archaeological remains and underwater excavations.
Saller has published several books related to Roman social, economic, and cultural history, which is his area of expertise. They include, “Personal Patronage Under the Early Roman Empire” and “The Roman Empire: Economy, Society and Culture.”
His undergraduate degree in Greek and history is from the University of Illinois and he received his Ph.D. from Cambridge University in 1978.
Saller holds appointments at the University of Chicago in the departments of history, classical languages and literature, and New Testament and early Christian literature. He also became provost on Jan. 1 of this year.