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Name:
Dr Chris Matthew
I am a leading researcher in the study of ancient warfare whose work is highly regarded both internationally and nationally. The author of several books and numerous articles on this topic, in 2015 I was awarded the title of Honorary Associate by Macquarie University in recognition of my position as a leading professional with expertise in my field and for my ‘demonstrated commitment to excellence, education, and research’. My research has made a significant contribution to my field by transforming the way in which my main area of research (the mechanics of ancient warfare) is examined, understood and taught.
My work has additionally formed the basis of two documentaries (the eight hour Australian documentary series The First War for the West, and an episode on the ancient Spartans for the UK documentary series Ancient Black Ops) and radio interviews, and has resulted in me acting as a historical and creative consultant for the Australian Museum for their 2012 exhibition Alexander the Great – 2,000 Years of Treasures. I have also been engaged as a teacher of ancient history at Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle and the Australian National University, and have supervised higher degree research students at several institutions.
I have been invited to write articles for a number of journals, and have also been invited to give more than twenty public lectures at various universities, museums and other institutions across the country. I am currently teaching units on the Greek City-States, the Roman Republic, Pompeii, Ancient Greek Drama, the Ancient Near East, and the History and Geography of Ancient and Modern Rome.
WORKS PUBLISHED AND FORTHCOMING
All are 100% contributions by the author unless stated otherwise
Published Books
|
Title |
Publisher |
Details |
|
An Invincible Beast: Understanding the Hellenistic Pike-Phalanx at War |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Forthcoming – expected 2015 |
|
The Tactics of Aelian |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Hb. 237 pages, 2012 ISBN: 9781848849006
|
|
A Storm of Spears: Understanding the Greek Hoplite at War |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Hb 336 pages, 2012 ISBN: 9781848842953 |
|
On the Wings of Eagles: The Reforms of Gaius Marius and the Creation of Rome’s First Professional Soldiers |
Cambridge Scholars Publishing (UK) |
Hb 120 pages, 2010 ISBN: 978-1-4438-1742-4 |
Edited Books
|
Title |
Publisher |
Details |
|
Religion and Classical Warfare Vol.III: The Roman Empire (co-edited volume – 33% editorial contribution) |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Under Contract – expected 2018 |
|
Religion and Classical Warfare Vol.II: The Roman Republic (co-edited volume – 33% editorial contribution) |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Under Contract – expected 2017 |
|
Religion and Classical Warfare Vol.I: Greece (co-edited volume – 33% editorial contribution) |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Under Contract – expected 2016 |
|
Beyond the Gates of Fire: New Perspectives on the Battle of Thermopylae (co-edited volume – 50% editorial contribution) |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Hb. 228 pages, 2013 ISBN: 9781848847910 |
Book Chapters
|
Chapter Title |
Book found in |
Published By |
Details |
|
The Cult of the Eagles |
Religion and Classical Warfare Vol.II: The Roman Republic |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Under Contract – expected 2017 |
|
Fate, Pre-Destination & the Mindset of the Greek Hoplite in Battle |
Religion and Classical Warfare Vol.I: Greece |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Under Contract – expected 2016 |
|
Towards the Hot Gates: The Events Leading to the Battle of Thermopylae |
Beyond the Gates of Fire: New Perspectives on the Battle of Thermopylae |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Pages 1-27, 2013 ISBN: 9781848847910 |
|
Was the Greek Defence of Thermopylae in 480BC a Suicide Mission? |
Beyond the Gates of Fire: New Perspectives on the Battle of Thermopylae |
Pen & Sword (UK) |
Pages 60-99, 2013 ISBN: 9781848847910 |
Peer –Reviewed Journal Articles
|
Article Title |
Journal |
Published By |
Details |
|
Alexander – the Great Strategist? |
Macedonian Studies Journal (ERA ranking: --) |
Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies |
Volume 1.2 (2014) pp.37-60 ISSN: 2204-311X
|
|
The Strategy of the Thermopylae-Artemisium Line in 480BC |
Ancient History – Resources for Teachers (ERA ranking: C) |
Macquarie Ancient History Association |
Volume 39.1 (2009/2012) pp.1-24 ISSN: 1032-3686 |
|
The Length of the Sarissa |
Antichthon (ERA ranking: A) |
Australasian Society for Classical Studies (Cambridge University Press) |
Volume 46 (2012) pp.79-100 ISSN: 0066-4774 |
|
Greek Hoplites in an Ancient Chinese Siege |
Journal of Asian History (ERA ranking: A) |
Harrassowitz Verlag (Germany) |
Vol. 45 (2011) pp.17-37 ISSN: 0021-910X |
|
For Valour: The ‘Shield Coins’ of Alexander and the Successors |
Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia (ERA ranking: --) |
The Numismatic Association of Australia |
Vol. 20 (2009/2010) pp.15-34 ISSN: 0815-998x
|
|
The Battle of Vercellae and the Alteration of the Heavy Javelin (pilum) by Gaius Marius 101BC |
Antichthon
(ERA ranking: A) |
Australasian Society for Classical Studies (Cambridge University Press) |
Volume 44 (2010) pp.50-67 ISSN: 0066-4774 |
|
When Push comes to Shove: What was the Othismos of Hoplite Combat? |
Historia: Zeitschrift fuer Alte Geschichte (ERA ranking: A+) |
Steiner Verlag (Germany) |
Volume 58: Issue 4 (2009) pp.395-415 ISSN: 0341-0056 |
|
The Continuing Reappraisal of Hoplite Warfare |
NZACT Bulletin
(ERA ranking: --) |
New Zealand Association of Classics Teachers |
Volume 35: Issue 2 (June 2008), pp.71-80 ISSN: 0111-316x |
Other Publications
|
Article Title |
Journal |
Published By |
Details |
|
Testing Herodotus: Using Re-Creation to Understand the Battle of Marathon |
Ancient Warfare (journal ranking: --) |
Karwansaray Publishers (Netherlands) |
Vol.5: Issue 4 (2011) pp.41-46 ISSN: 1874-7019 |
|
Marius’ Mules – Rome’s New Mobile Infantry |
Ancient Warfare (journal ranking: --) |
Karwansaray Publishers (Netherlands) |
Vol.5: Issue 1 (2011) pp.13-18 ISSN: 1874-7019 |
PUBLISHED BOOK REVIEWS
|
Publication |
Reviewed in... |
|
J. Brouwers, The Henchmen of Ares: Warriors and Warfare in Early Greece (Rotterdam, Karwansaray, 2013) |
Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2015.01.51 |
|
J. Crowley, The Psychology of the Athenian Hoplite: The Culture of Combat in Classical Athens (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2012) |
Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2014.06.25 |
|
G.S. Aldrete, S. Bartell and A. Aldrete, Reconstructing Ancient Linen Body Armor – Unraveling the Linothorax Mystery (Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013) |
Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2013.08.20 |
|
D. Kagan and G.F. Viggiano (eds.), Men of Bronze – Hoplite Warfare in Ancient Greece (Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2013) |
Ancient History Bulletin 3 (2013) 75-76 |
Chris has begun two new major research projects. The first project will expand up the techniques and processes used in his PhD research to use physical re-creation, experimental archaeology and ballistics testing to examine the warfare of the Hellenistic Period from the time of Alexander the Great to the rise of Rome. His second project will examine the psychology of conflict and warfare in ancient Greece and compare this to the way warfare is conducted in the modern world by western military institutions which base many of their strategic concepts on those of their classical forebears.
Prior to taking up his full-time position at ACU, Christopher had been engaged as a sessional teacher of ancient history (Greek and Roman) and ancient mythology and religion at
At ACU, Christopher teaches units on the ancient Near East, the Fall of the Roman Republic, The Greek City-States, Ancient Greek Drama and Pompeii.
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