Thomas Bolt ’12

My background: “I have a B.A. in English and interdisciplinary studies (classics) from Lafayette College (2012), an M.Phil. in Greek and Latin languages and literatures from University of Oxford, and a Ph.D. in classics from University of Texas at Austin. Before coming to Lafayette, I was a postdoctoral research fellow at Florida State University and a Mellon Foundation postdoctoral fellow at UT Austin. My area of expertise is the ancient Mediterranean world, particularly ancient Greece and Rome. I teach literature, history, and culture of both ancient Greece and Rome, but my specialty is Latin epic poetry. My research focuses on a poem called the Thebaid, written by a poet named Statius who lived under the Roman emperor Domitian.”

This fall I am teaching: “Elementary Latin, History of Ancient Greece, and Insiders and Outsiders in Ancient Rome.”

What students can expect from me: “My students can expect an enthusiastic teacher who is constantly trying new ways to introduce students to the ancient world. We’ll study the Greeks and the Romans through a variety of sources, such as art, archaeology, and literature. Creative work and collaboration will feature prominently in my courses.”

Why I’m excited to be here: “I’m really looking forward to working with students in a small setting and getting to know them individually. Lafayette encourages the combination of research and teaching, which makes for a dynamic and engaging learning experience.”