Elspeth Dusinberre is interested in cultural interactions in Anatolia, including in the time of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (ca. 550-330 BCE) and in pre-Achaemenid Phrygia. Her first book, Aspects of Empire in Achaemenid Sardis (Cambridge 2003), focuses on the Lydian capital. Her second book is a diachronic excavation monograph, Gordion Seals and Sealings: Individuals and Society (Philadelphia 2005). Dusinberre's third book, Empire, Authority, and Autonomy in Achaemenid Anatolia (Cambridge 2013), winner of the 2015 Wiseman Award, considers all of Anatolia under Persian rule and proposes a new model for understanding imperialism. Her book on the cremation tumuli at Gordion (Philadelphia 2023) uses mortuary remains to investigate major cultural shifts at the Phrygian capital between 625 and 525 BCE. Her articles have appeared in, e.g., American Journal of Archaeology, Ars Orientalis, the Annals of the American Schools of Oriental Research, and Anatolian Studies. She is currently studying the seal impressions on the Aramaic tablets of the Persepolis Fortification Archive (ca. 500 BCE) and the Early Phrygian destruction level at Gordion (ca. 800 BCE), in addition to other projects at Gordion. Her work has been recognized by numerous awards and grants, including a Guggenheim Fellowship.
keywords
archaeology, art history, ancient imperialism, greek and near eastern archaeology, seals, achaemenid persian empire, anatolia
ARTH 1509 - Trash and Treasure, Temples and Tombs: Art and Archaeology of the Ancient World
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2025
Introduces the art and archaeology of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, examining various ancient approaches to power, religion, death and the human body. Analyzes art, architecture and everyday trash to learn about ancient humanity. Same as CLAS 1509.
ARTH 4169 - Topics in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
In-depth consideration of an aspect of ancient Mediterranean culture. Topics vary and may include ancient wall painting, Greek sculpture, artists and patrons, the ancient Near East, Egyptian art and archaeology, or Etruscan art and archaeology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours providing the topics are different. Same as CLAS 5169 and CLAS 4169 and ARTH 5169.
ARTH 4269 - Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Examines the diverse multicultural civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region and Anatolia from the rise of urbanism in Mesopotamia through the era of the first 'world empire,' Achaemenid Persia. Emphasizes the material record of religious and state institutions of the ancient Near East, especially monuments that illustrate concepts of power and communication. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, trade, religion, gender, identity and roles of artists. How do inter-communal relations, cross-cultural exchange, innovation and artistic production, movement and migration, relate to the development and expression of hegemonic power and of empire, and the marginalization of some? What is the role of economics and commerce in these processes? May be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Same as CLAS 5269 and CLAS 4269 and ARTH 5269. Recommended prerequisite: CLAS 1509 or ARTH 1509.
ARTH 5269 - Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2026
Examines the diverse multicultural civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region and Anatolia from the rise of urbanism in Mesopotamia through the era of the first 'world empire,' Achaemenid Persia. Emphasizes the material record of religious and state institutions of the ancient Near East, especially monuments that illustrate concepts of power and communication. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, trade, religion, gender, identity and roles of artists. How do inter-communal relations, cross-cultural exchange, innovation and artistic production, movement and migration, relate to the development and expression of hegemonic power and of empire, and the marginalization of some? What is the role of economics and commerce in these processes? May be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Same as CLAS 5269 and CLAS 4269 and ARTH 4269.
CLAS 1509 - Trash and Treasure, Temples and Tombs: Art and Archaeology of the Ancient World
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2025
Introduces the art and archaeology of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, examining various ancient approaches to power, religion, death and the human body. Analyzes art, architecture and everyday trash to learn about ancient humanity. Same as ARTH 1509.
CLAS 4169 - Topics in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
In-depth consideration of an aspect of ancient Mediterranean culture. Topics vary and may include ancient wall painting, Greek sculpture, artists and patrons, the ancient Near East, Egyptian art and archaeology, or Etruscan art and archaeology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours providing the topics are different. Same as CLAS 5169 and ARTH 4169 and ARTH 5169.
CLAS 4269 - Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Examines the diverse multicultural civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region and Anatolia from the rise of urbanism in Mesopotamia through the era of the first 'world empire,' Achaemenid Persia. Emphasizes the material record of religious and state institutions of the ancient Near East, especially monuments that illustrate concepts of power and communication. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, trade, religion, gender, identity and roles of artists. How do inter-communal relations, cross-cultural exchange, innovation and artistic production, movement and migration, relate to the development and expression of hegemonic power and of empire, and the marginalization of some? What is the role of economics and commerce in these processes? May be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Same as CLAS 5269 and ARTH 4269 and ARTH 5269. Recommended prerequisite: CLAS 1509 or ARTH 1509.
CLAS 4852 - Honors Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2025 / Spring 2026
CLAS 5169 - Topics in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2025
In-depth consideration of an aspect of ancient Mediterranean culture. Topics vary and may include ancient wall painting, Greek sculpture, artists and patrons, the ancient Near East, Egyptian art and archaeology, or Etruscan art and archaeology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours providing the topics are different. Same as CLAS 4169 and ARTH 4169 and ARTH 5169.
CLAS 5269 - Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Examines the diverse multicultural civilizations of the Iran-Iraq region and Anatolia from the rise of urbanism in Mesopotamia through the era of the first 'world empire,' Achaemenid Persia. Emphasizes the material record of religious and state institutions of the ancient Near East, especially monuments that illustrate concepts of power and communication. Explores notions of style, symbolism, visual rhetoric, text-image synthesis, patronage, creativity, trade, religion, gender, identity and roles of artists. How do inter-communal relations, cross-cultural exchange, innovation and artistic production, movement and migration, relate to the development and expression of hegemonic power and of empire, and the marginalization of some? What is the role of economics and commerce in these processes? May be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Same as ARTH 5269 and CLAS 4269 and ARTH 4269.
CLAS 7109 - Graduate Seminar in Ancient and Classical Art and Archaeology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Topics vary. Emphasis is on gaining expertise in using archaeological reports in tandem with (or contradiction to) textual sources, on reading and using critical theory, on improving analytical skills and discussion, and on honing discussion leadership abilities. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours providing the topics are different.
FYSM 1000 - First Year Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Provide first year students with an immersive experience in an interdisciplinary topic that addresses current issues including social, technical and global topics. Taught by faculty from across campus, the course provides students with an opportunity to interact in small classes, have project based learning experiences and gain valuable communication skills. Seminar style classes focused on discussion and projects.
