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WALTER EUGENE ROBERTS
CURRICULUM VITAE
4229 Hunt Drive, Apartment 4908
Carrollton, TX 75010
Cell: 740-856-9461
EDUCATION
Ph.D.
Department of History
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #310650
Denton, TX 76203
Office Phone: 940-565-2489
E-Mail: [email protected]
Emory University
History, May 2003
Dissertation: A Study of Concordia: Changing Conceptions of Imperial
Power and Responsibility in Late Antiquity
Committee: Thomas Burns (Chair), Stephen White, David Bright
Examination Fields: Late Antiquity, Medieval Europe, Ancient Greece,
Ancient Rome
Freie Universität Berlins (Visiting Scholar, 1999-2000)
M.A.
University of South Carolina
History, August 1997
Thesis: Magnus Maximus: Portrait of a Usurper
Committee Members: Ralph W. Mathisen (Chair), Robert Patterson
B.A.
Coastal Carolina University
History, December 1994 (Cum Laude)
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
University of North Texas
Department of History
August 2012-Present
Continuing Senior Lecturer
University of North Texas
Department of History
August 2010-July 2012
Continuing Lecturer
Ohio University
Department of History
September 2008-June 2010
Visiting Assistant Professor
Ashland University
Department of History and Political Science
August 2007-August 2008
Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Arizona
Department of History
August 2004-July 2007
Adjunct Professor
North Georgia College and State University
Department of History
August 2003-July 2004
Adjunct Professor
Emory University
Italian Studies Summer Abroad Program
Summer 2003
Visiting Assistant Professor
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COURSES TAUGHT
GENERAL EDUCATION/CORE CURRICULUM HISTORY SURVEY COURSES
Western Civilization to 1648: A lower-level survey of the development of Europe and the
Mediterranean world from the Bronze Age (ca. 3000 BCE) to the religious wars in Europe following
the Protestant Reformation (ca. 1650 CE). An emphasis is put on the evolution of classical, medieval,
and contemporary conceptions of “western civilization” through examining primary source material,
and the development of pre-modern Europe is examined as part of a wider Mediterranean context.
Survey of World History to 1500: A lower-division course that surveys the religious, political, and
social history of selected cultures from around the world to 1500 CE. Emphasis is placed on close
analysis of primary sources.
Survey of World History from 1500 to Present: A lower-division course that surveys the religious,
political, and social history of selected cultures from around the world from 1500 CE to the present.
Emphasis is placed on close analysis of primary sources.
UPPER-DIVISION HISTORY COURSES
Early Medieval Europe: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of
specific themes in the history of the Medieval European world from 300-1000 CE.
Jews Under Greek and Roman Rule: This course is a survey of the development of Judaism and
Jewish cultural identity from the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile to the
creation of normative Rabinnic Judaism in the Late Antique period (ca. 600 BCE-ca. 500 CE).
Thematically, this course examines the interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with
the neighboring polytheistic cultures and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of
leadership and community. In addition, students are introduced to the notions and problems of state
formation in the tradition of "Western" thought. This course is heavily based on reading primary
sources and some of the more influential secondary scholarship on Judaism and Jewish cultural
identity during the Second Temple and Late Antique periods. It also explores the use of archaeology
and other non-literary sources in an attempt to address the basic issues of the course. Sponsored by
the Israel and Jewish Studies Program, University of North Texas.
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis
of specific themes in the religious, political, and social history of the ancient Near East from the
beginning of the Bronze Age to ca. 500 BCE.
Ancient Israel: This course is a survey of the history of the Hebrew people’s attempts at early state
formation from their earliest known origins to the destruction of the First Temple and Judah (ca. 3000
BCE-ca. 600 BCE). Particular attention is paid to the creation of the earliest incarnations of the state of
Israel in the context of its geography as a border territory. Thematically, this course examines the
interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with the neighboring polytheistic cultures
and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of leadership and community. In addition,
students are introduced to the notions and problems of state formation in the tradition of "Western"
thought. This course is heavily based on reading primary sources and some of the more influential
secondary scholarship on the subject. It also explores the use of archaeology and other non-literary
sources. Sponsored by the Irael and Jewish Studies Program, University of North Texas.
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The Ancient Mediterranean—Power and Identity: This course surveys the religious, political, and
social history of the Mediterranean world from ca. 1200 BCE to the death of Constantine in 337 CE.
Emphasis is placed on close analysis of primary sources and the themes of power and identity as seen
in conceptions of leadership and community.
Ancient Greece: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific
themes in the religious, political, and social history of Ancient Greece from ca. 1200 BCE to the death
of Alexander the Great (323 BCE). Cross-listed as a Classics course.
Ancient Rome: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific themes
in the religious, political, and social history of Bronze Age Rome, Regal Rome, the Roman Republic,
and the Roman Empire from ca. 1200 BCE to the death of the emperor Constantine I (337 CE). Crosslisted as a Classics course.
Byzantine History: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific
themes in the religious, political, and social history of the Byzantine Empire from the reign of
Constantine I (337 CE) to the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.
Classical Egypt: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis of specific
themes in the religious, political, and social history of ancient Egypt from ca. 3000 BCE to ca. 700 BCE.
The Evolution of Warfare to Napoleon: This course examines the evolution of warfare from its Bronze
Age origins to ca. 1800 CE. The emphasis is on warfare as a “western” phenomenon, but warfare is
examined in a global/world historical context. Attention is paid to both the theory and practice of
warfare before the “modern” era.
Historical Methods: This course introduces history majors to the main philosophical, methodological,
and technical issues that confront professional historians. Emphasis is on developing research,
writing, argumentation, and analysis of primary and secondary sources.
The History and Archaeology of Italy from 1000 BC to AD 600: This course is taught on-site in Italy
and examines the religious, political, and social history of ancient Italy to 600 CE. Emphasis is placed
on an interdisciplinary approach using archaeological, numismatic, and epigraphic evidence to
supplement a close study of the primary sources.
History of the High Middle Ages: This course emphasizes the use of primary sources and the analysis
of specific themes in the history of the Medieval European world from Late Antiquity to the eve of the
Reformation. Can be cross-listed as a Religion course.
Nature and Practice of History-Of Gods and Emperors: Religious Dissent as Political Dissent from the
Late Roman Republic to Justinian: A senior seminar that introduces students to concepts and issues
driving the modern study of the Greco-Roman world from ca. 44 BCE to the death of Justinian (565
CE). Emphasis is on critical analysis of primary sources, modern historiography, and research skills.
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Nature and Practice of History-Introduction to Late Antiquity: A senior seminar that introduces
students to concepts and issues driving the modern study of the Late Antique era (ca. 300-ca. 1000 CE)
in the Mediterranean world. Emphasis is on critical analysis of primary sources, modern
historiography, and refinement of research skills.
Roman Warfare: This course examines both the ideology and practice of warfare during the time of
the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. An emphasis is placed on primary sources and the role that
warfare played in Roman conceptions of empire and cultural identity.
GRADUATE HISTORY COURSES
Historical Bibliography: This course introduces Master’s level graduate students in history to the
various methods used to find source materials. An emphasis is put on using the most recent
technologies as an aid in their research. Some time is also spent going over the basics of source
citation in written work.
Historiography: This course introduces Ph. D. history students to the main philosophical,
methodological, and technical issues that confront professional historians. Emphasis is on developing
an understanding of the current methodological and philosophical issues that underpin the work of
modern historians.
Readings in Jews Under Greek and Roman Rule: This course introduces students to the basic issues
and historiography concerning the development of Judaism and Jewish cultural identity from ca. 600
BCE-ca. 500 CE. Particular attention is paid to the historiographical arguments over sources for these
topic and how to interpret them.
Readings in Ancient Israel: This course introduces students to the basic issues and historiography of
ancient Israel from ca. 3000 BCE-ca. 135 CE. Particular attention is paid to the historiographical
arguments over sources for ancient Israel and how to interpret them.
Readings in Barbarians in Late Antiquity: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues
and historiography of interactions between the Late Roman and Early Byzantine Empires from ca.
300-ca. 1000 CE.
Readings in Byzantine History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and
historiography of the religious, political, and social history of the Byzantine Empire from the reign of
Constantine I (337 CE) to the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.
Readings in Classical Egyptian History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues
and historiography of the religious, political, and social history of ancient Egypt from ca. 3000 BCE to
ca. 500 BCE.
Readings in the Evolution of Warfare to Napoleon: This course introduces graduate students to the
basic issues and historiography on the evolution of warfare from its Bronze Age origins to ca. 1800
CE. The emphasis is on warfare as a “western” phenomenon, but warfare is examined in a
global/world historical context. Attention is paid to both the theory and practice of warfare before the
“modern” era.
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Readings in Roman Warfare: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and
historiography of ancient Roman warfare from ca. 500 BCE-ca. 500 CE. Attention is paid to the wider
cultural impact of Roman warfare of the formation and maintenance of the Roman Empire as well as
the actual practices of warfare during this period.
Teaching College History: This course introduces Master’s and Ph. D. history students to the basic
issues of teaching a college-level history survey or general education course. Topics covered include
constructing a syllabus, constructing exams, and institutional technological support for teaching. The
students have to observe seasoned instructors in a classroom setting and then give their own teaching
demonstration.
Readings in Ancient Greek History: This course introduces graduate students to the basic issues and
historiography of the ancient Greek world from ca. 2000 BCE-31 BCE. Attention is paid to the wider
cultural impact of ancient Greek culture as it was passed on into the Hellenistic era and picked up by
the Roman Empire.
TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Proficient in the following course management software: Blackboard; Desire2Learn; Angel
Offered my Roman Warfare course in a distance-learning format (Tandberg Conferencing System) to
the main Ohio University campus and four Ohio University branch campuses. Spring 2010.
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PUBLICATIONS
“’Soldiers of Christ’ from the Byzantine Perspective: Monks, Emperors, and Conflict in the Early
Byzantine Empire.” Journal of Religious History (on-line, October 2016).
World Civilizations to 1500 CE: Empires and Religions. Kendall-Hunt, 2013.
“Reconceptualizing Notions of Imperial Power in the Later Roman Empire: The Case of Basil of
Caesarea and Valens.” The Ancient World 39 no.2 (December 2008): 162-173.
“Greco-Roman Conceptions of the Natural World, Religion, and Notions of Leadership in the Later
Roman Empire.” In Science Religion, and Society: History, Culture, and Controversy, Gary Laderman and
Arri Eisen, eds., (M.E. Sharpe, 2007): 244-250.
“Milites Christi Revisited: A Reexamination of Christian Leadership in the Late Antique West.” In The
Proceedings of the Third International Historical Conference on European History: European History: Lessons
for the 21st Century, eds. Gregory T. Papanikos and Nicholas C.J. Pappas (Athens Institute for
Education and Research, 2006): 145-158.
“Julian.” (with Mike Dimaio) De Imperatoribus Romanis website, 2002. The DIR is a peer-reviewed and
edited website that provides brief biographies of all Roman and Byzantine emperors from Augustus
(27 BCE) to Constantine XI (1453 CE). URL: http://www.roman-emperors.org/ (38 manuscript pages)
“Valentinian I.” DIR, 1998. (31 manuscript pages)
“Firmus.” DIR, 1998. ( 5 manuscript pages)
“Valentinian II.” DIR, 1998. (8 manuscript pages)
“Gratian.” DIR, 1998. (18 manuscript pages)
“Eugenius.” DIR, 1998. (5 manuscript pages)
“Flavius Victor.” DIR, 1997. (5 manuscript pages)
“Magnus Maximus.” DIR, 1997. (20 manuscript pages)
“Barbarians as a Destabilizing Factor in the Late Roman Empire: The Case of Magnus Maximus.” The
Proceedings of the South Carolina Historical Association (1998): 1-7.
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BOOK REVIEWS
Robert Garland. Wandering Greeks: The Ancient Greek Diaspora from the Age of Homer to the Death of
Alexander the Great. Princeton University Press, 2014. In History: Review of New Books 44, no. 3 (May
2016): 76-77.
Peter Crawford. The War of the Three Gods: Romans, Persians, and the Rise of Islam. Pen and Sword
Military Press, 2014. In Res Militares: Official Newsletter of the Society of Ancient Military Historians
(August, 2015): 15.1.
Virginia Burrus. Saving Shame: Martyrs, Saints, and Other Abject Subjects. University of Pennsylvania
Press, 2008. In Bryn Mawr Classical Review (March, 2008): 2008.03.27.
SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS
“Soldiers of Christ from the Byzantine Perspective: Monks, Emperors, and Conflict in the Late
Antique Byzantine Empire.” 23rd Finnish Symposium on Late Antiquity: Conflict in Late Antiquity,
Tvärmine, Finland. October 2014.
“Changing Notions of Empire and Warfare: Herodotus, Thucydides, the Romans, and Clausewitz.”
1st Annual Central Texas Military History Symposium, Texas A&M University-Central, Killeen, TX.
August 2011.
“Imperial Patronage and Religion in the 4th Century Roman Empire.” 43rd International Medieval
Studies Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 2008.
“Christian Notions of Power in the 4th and 5th Centuries: The Growth of Christian Patronage in the
Early Medieval Period,” 33rd Annual Sewanee Medieval Colloquium, Sewanee, TN. April 2006.
“Milites Christi Revisited: A Reexamination of Christian Leadership in the Late Antique West,” 3rd
International Conference Ancient to Modern European History, Athens Institute for Education and
Research, Athens, Greece. December 2005.
“The Tale of Late Antique Hungary as Seen Through History and Archaeology,” Archaeological
Institute of America Lecture Series, Tucson, AZ. October 2005.
“Monks, Bishops, and Imperial Authority in the Late Fourth Century Greco-Roman World,” 39th
International Medieval Studies Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 2004.
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INVITED PUBLIC LECTURES
“South America and the Andean Cultures Prior to A. D. 1500,” Irving Arts Center, November 2014.
This lecture was part of the “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed,” a National Geographic
exhibition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute. I was invited to speak on the general
developments in South America prior to 1500 CE with a focus on the Andean cultures. Thematically,
my presentation explored the issue of how scholars define "civilization" and how the cultures of premodern South America fit into this debate.
“Dura Europos: A Settlement Caught Between Cultures,” Allen Public Library, September 2015. I
have been invited to speak on the historical development of Dura Europos (near modern Salhiyeh), a
key trade and military center that operated from ca. 300 BCE to ca. 260 CE. Thematically, my
presentation explores the role of Dura Europos as a key site of interaction between Roman and
Sassanid Persian cultures.
TELEVISION CONSULTATION
Ride TV documentary on the history of the horse. December 2015.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
Roman villa rustica near Pecs, Hungary, joint supervision of Emory University, Pannonius University
and Universität Passau. 1998.
LANGUAGES (READING PROFICIENCY ONLY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Latin, Classical Greek, German (spoken and written), French
CURRENT RESEARCH
“Magistri Officiorum: From Impious Meddlers to Enforcers of Orthodoxy: The Evolution of Religion in
Imperial Patronage in the Late Roman Empire.” A 25 page manuscript of an article that I will submit
shortly to the journal Medieval Prosopography.
Twilight Emperor of the Western Roman Empire: The Saga of Valentinian I (364-375 CE).
Book manuscript (currently 40 pages with chapter outlines) on the important developments of the last
truly dominant emperor of the Roman western territories.
Imperial Patronage from Constantine to Justinian: A Reexamination of the “Fall of the Roman Empire.”
A revision of my dissertation (currently chapter outlines) that examines the reasons and consequences
for the disappearance of centralized Roman political and military power in the western
Mediterranean and Europe during the 4th-6th centuries CE while centralized Roman power
survived in the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans as the Byzantine Empire during this period.
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DOCTORAL DEGREE COMMITTEES SERVED ON
Jonathan Abel. Director Michael Leggiere. “Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert: Father of
the Grande Armée.” Summer 2014.
MASTER’S DEGREE COMMITTEES SERVED ON
Aaron Miller. “The Duality of the Hitler Youth: Ideological Indoctrination and Premilitary
Education.” Director-Geoff Wawro. University of North Texas. Fall 2016.
Callie Millier. “Russian Peasant Women’s Resistance Against the State During the Anti-Religious
Campaigns of 1928-1932.” Director-Olga Velikanova. University of North Texas. Spring 2016.
Miguel Vargas. “Causes of the Diaspora Revolt in Alexandria.” Director-Christopher J. Fuhrmann.
University of North Texas. Spring 2016.
Curtis Montier. “The Shameful Practice: Female Head Shaving in Antiquity.” Director-Christopher J.
Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Fall 2015.
Robyn Rider (non-thesis). Director-Christopher J. Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Spring 2014.
Lauren Puyear. “A Curious Collection of Visitors: Travels to Early Modern Cabinets of Curiosity and
Museums, 1660-1800.” Director-Richard Golden. University of North Texas. Spring 2014.
Warren Wheatley. “Historical and Theological Backgrounds of the Whore of Babylon in Revelation
17-18 in a Jewish Context.” Director-Christopher J. Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Fall 2013.
Javier Lopez. “Josephus’ Jewish Wars and the Cause of the Jewish Revolt: Re-examining
Inevitability.” Director-Christopher J. Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Fall 2013.
Michelle Findlater. “Pocky Wenches versus La Pauvre Femme: Medical Perceptions of Venereal Disease
in Seventeenth Century England and France.” Director-Marilyn Morris. University of North Texas.
Fall 2013.
James Baker. “Paul and Slavery: A Conflict of Metaphor and Reality.” Director-Christopher J.
Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Fall 2013.
Kimberly Thaggard. “Reclaiming the Flock: Innocent III, the 1215 Canon, and the Role of the
Sacraments in Reforming the Catholic Church.” Director-Laura Stern. UNT. Fall 2013.
Robert Vigus. “Fortification Renaissance: The Roman Origins of the Trace Italienne.” Director-Guy
Chet. University of North Texas. Spring 2013.
Jesse Pyles. “The Portuguese Expedition Corps in World War I.” Director-Geoff Wawro. University of
North Texas. Spring 2012.
Kristan Ewin. “The Argei: Sex, War, and Crucifixion in Rome and the Ancient Near East.” DirectorChristopher J. Fuhrmann. University of North Texas. Spring 2012.
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Arthur Garrison. “Fields and Armor: A Comparative Analysis of English Feudalism and Japanese
Hokensei.” Director-Harold Tanner. University of North Texas. Fall 2011.
Melissa Hendrick (non-thesis). Director-Christopher J. Fuhrmann. UNT. Spring 2011.
Chris Higgins. “Popular and Imperial Response to Earthquakes in the Roman Empire.” DirectorJacqueline Maxwell. Ohio University. Spring 2009.
Ryan Wilkinson. “Private Armies in Late Antiquity.” Director-Alison Futrell. University of Arizona.
Spring 2007.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Excellence in Advising, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Texas (Fall 2013)
Faculty Development Grant, Ashland University (Spring 2008)
International Travel Grant, University of Arizona (Fall 2005)
Faculty Development Grant, North Georgia College and State University (May 2004)
OTHER ACADEMIC SERVICE
Member of the University of North Texas Institutional Effectiveness Committee. Summer 2015Present. This committee exists to support UNT’s institution-wide research-based planning and
evaluation processes. It reviews and evaluates IE reports supplied by the various administrative and
academic units at UNT, which are meant to illustrate continuous improvement in academic and
administrative institutional quality of the University.
Member of the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Curriculum Committee at the University of
North Texas. September 2013-May 2016. This committee represents the 14 member departments of
CAS (the largest College at UNT) in matters of graduate curriculum and policy and works in close
relationship with UNT’s overall graduate school, Toulouse Graduate School.
Member of the TDF awards committee. University of North Texas. May 2011, May 2012. The TDF
(Thesis or Dissertation Fellowship) is the highest award given to 20-30 of UNT’s top graduate
students who are in the last year of completing their graduate degree. Stipends $17,0000 to $30,0000.
Member of the MDF awards committee. University of North Texas. Spring 2012. The MDF (Master’s
or Doctoral Fellowship) is a competitive award given to 20-30 incoming graduate students. Stipends
are about $20000 annually for 4 years.
Faculty member of Israel and Jewish Studies Program at the University of North Texas. January 2012present.
Reviewer of a proposed Western Civilization survey textbook by Norton Press. January, 2012.
Member of the Military History Center Speakers Bureau. October 2011-present.
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Reviewer for The World’s History, Volume 1: Prehistory to 1500 (4th edition) from Prentice Hall Press.
August 2011.
Faculty Advisor to University of North Texas Chapter of the Phi-Alpha-Theta History Honor Society.
June 2011-January 2013.
Supervisor of Part-time Student Teachers, Department of History, University of North Texas.
January 2011-August 2013.
Chair and ex-officio member of the Graduate Awards Board, Department of History, University of
North Texas. January 2011-Present.
Faculty Coordinator for the Teaching of History Conference, University of North Texas. 2011-Present.
UNT Fellow for the Military History Center at the University of North Texas. August 2010-Present.
Ex-officio member of the Graduate Committee, Department of History, University of North Texas.
August 2010-Present.
Graduate Student Adviser, Department of History, University of North Texas. August 2010-Present.
Reviewer of a proposed Western Civilization survey textbook by Prentice Hall Press. March, 2010.
Reader for the Randolph Stone Award short paper category nominees. This award is given by the
History department at Ohio University to the best undergraduate history papers in a variety of
categories each academic year. Spring, 2009; Spring 2010.
Reviewer of a proposed ancient Roman history textbook by Oxford University Press. December, 2008.
Chair of a panel on Western Church Councils at the 43rd International Medieval
Studies Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. May 2008.
Faculty Learning Community on Using Technology. Ashland University. Academic Year 2007-8.
Organizing committee, Student Conference on United States Affairs. North Georgia College and State
University, Fall 2003.
Editorial board for De Imperatoribus Romanis 1997-present
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REFERENCES
Professor Ralph W. Mathisen
446K Gregory Hall
Department of History
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-5249
[email protected]
Professor Rick McCaslin
Department of History
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #310650
Denton, TX 76203
940-565-2288
[email protected]
Professor Christopher J. Fuhrmann
Department of History
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #310650
Denton, TX 76203
940-565-2288
[email protected]
Professor Patrick Barr-Melej
435 Bentley Annex
Department of History
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
740-597-1581
[email protected]
Professor Alison Futrell
Social Sciences 131
Department of History
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
520-626-8428
[email protected]
Updated December 2016