Samuel Agbamu
-
100
-
Lecturer in Classics
Exams Officer
Admissions Tutor (from September 2025)
Areas of interest
I work mainly on Latin epic and its reception, classical humanism, Classical Reception, especially in imperial contexts, and de-/postcolonial and antiracist approaches to Greek and Latin literature.
I am especially interested in how Latin literature contributes to constructions of post-classical ideologies and identities. My first book, Restorations of Empire (2024, OUP) looked at how modern Italian imperialism used the idea of Roman Africa to support its colonial agenda in Africa. I am currently finishing my second book which homes in on a particular moment in the development of ideas of Italian nationhood, race, and the revival of Roman imperialism: Petrarch’s fourteenth-century Latin epic about the Second Punic War, the Africa. I am also co-editing volume with Dr Elena Giusti on Classics and Italian Colonialism, as well as co-writing a book with Dr Giusti on Dido.
Postgraduate supervision
I would be delighted to supervise projects relating to Latin literature, especially if it is about Africa; Latin epic, including post-classical Latin; race and ethnicity; Classical Reception; postcolonial or decolonial approaches to antiquity.
Teaching
Undergraduate
Roman History; Latin language; Ethnicity and Race in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds
Research centres and groups
Race, empire, decoloniality research cluster (convener)
Background
My interests in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds were sparked by the thought that maybe the Greeks and Romans were not so different from us. I am still not sure how much I believe this, but encountering bawdy graffiti, a Greek joke book, and a piglet’s last will and testament in a third-year undergrad module made me want to take my time with the ancient Romans further. But then I started to think about whether there were people in classical antiquity who looked like me (spoiler: of course there were). This is from where my interest in race and ethnicity in antiquity emerged. Springing from this, I am also interested in how identities in antiquity have been translated or adapted in post-classical contexts, and in what is at stake in even thinking in terms of ‘the classical’.
I addition to my academic work, I enjoy engaging with non-academic audiences: as well as writing for publications such as Omnibus and the Times Literary Supplement, appearing as a guest on the BBC Radio 4 show and being interviewed for , I love speaking at schools and museums. I am currently writing a popular history book on the role of classical antiquity in shaping modern ideas of race.
Awards and honours
2022-2025 Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship.
2021-2022 British School at Rome, Rome Fellow (converted to Rome Award, April-June 2022).
2016-2019 AHRC Doctoral Studentship (London Arts and Humanities Partnership).