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Jeremy Simmons

@caeliambulator.bsky.social
2.7K followers 946 following 597 posts

Ancient historian @UChicago. Author of Sea of Treasures: A Cultural History of Ancient Indian Ocean Trade (2026). More than occasionally talks about the doggo. Opinions my own.

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Reposted by Jeremy Simmons
Julian Go @juliango.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Latest news: 2 of my sociology colleagues, John Levi Martin & Geoff Wodtke & I each wrote separate reviews of the Vanderbilt-Wash U Report on Sociology by A. Rubin. For my brief opinion and links to all 3 reviews, see this blogpost: scatter.wordpress.com/2026/09/19/g...
scatter.wordpress.com
guest post: scholarly malpractice and the vanderbilt-washington university report on sociology
The following is a guest post by Julian Go. By now readers of scatterplot will be aware of the Sociology portion of the Vanderbilt-Washington University Report (VWUR) by Ashley Rubin. Part of the “…
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Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
all these people sound like this:
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Excited to start teaching a course on Roman luxury next week (couldn't resist the pun in the title 😅). Going with a course pack—thanks AI—which has me nostalgic for my own time in undergrad. Encouraged to see those on the semester system are finding more engagement with the analog approach!
Poster for course @uchicagohistory.bsky.social. Background image is a wall painting from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, Boscoreale, Italy, c. 50 BCE (MMA 03.14.13): it depicts a bejeweled column in the foreground and a vine-laden gazebo on a rocky outcrop in the background. Text reads: Prof. Jeremy Simmons | HIST/CLCV 21015 | TuTh 2–3:20pm | Did decadence doom the Roman Empire? | FIAT LUXUS: Luxury and its Discontents in the Roman World
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"Online Rent-a-Sage" Bret Devereaux @bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
But I cannot stress enough: we have spent decades de-prioritizing and defunding the humanities broadly in secondary and post-secondary education and then we're all surprised-Pikachu-face when we are suffering from systematic leadership failures in exactly those skills and knowledge domains.
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“Han Solo, Tikla Carbon!”: Ewok Syntax and Galactic Storytelling
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Looking forward to this!
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Now available globally!
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Ancient History Magazine @ancienthistmag.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Missed this earlier? Explore ancient trade in the Indian Ocean, its sources, and the connections between India and the Roman Empire in the latest podcast episode. bit.ly/3SWncDV
Ancient History Podcast - Indian Ocean Trade
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Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
After reading some of the recent pubs and discourse around US higher ed.… I should just stop right here. But here are the three major fallacies of much of what’s out there, three contexts that are missing, and the one big thing that is driving me around the bend (actually already there, but). 1/
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
For those in the Chicago area: I’ll be discussing my book, “Sea of Treasures,” with my colleague, Derek Kennet, at the wonderful Seminary Co-op (@seminarycoopbooks.bsky.social) in Hyde Park on Sep. 22. Details in the link! www.semcoop.com/event/jeremy...
semcoop.com
Jeremy Simmons - "Sea of Treasures" - Derek Kennet | Seminary Co-op Bookstores
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A really fun piece to write—amazing how much of what I explore in Sea of Treasures (@princetonupress.bsky.social) keeps cropping up today. Thanks to @sarahebond.bsky.social and the Pasts Imperfect team for everything they do!
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Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The latest Pasts Imperfect is out! @caeliambulator.bsky.social discusses Hormuz & his new book on Indian Ocean Trade ⛵. Then, ancient mosaics enshrining pets, Aristotle in the antebellum South, medieval Denia, a new dinosaur in Brazil, ancient world journals from @yaleclassicslib.bsky.social & more!
pasts-imperfect.ghost.io
Pasts Imperfect (9.10.26)
This week, ancient historian Jeremy Simmons discusses Rome, India, and his new book on ancient Indian Ocean trade networks. Then, new mosaics may honor two beloved ancient pets, a new book on Aristotl...
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Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
It also really fucking annoys me that we are still having debates about whether this or that animal is actually sentient after millennia of living and working and functioning in groups and individually at really high cognitive levels while having to accept that autocorrect is a higher form of life
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Elizabeth Heintges @heintgestae.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Four amazing days at a wonderful conference on trauma in the ancient world in Siracusa!
Title slide for a conference presentation: “Cyclopean wounds and the trauma of triumviral civil war” Photo of the “Ear of Dionysius” in the quarries of SiracusaPhoto of the Piazza Duomo, SiracusaGroup photo of conference participants at the Greek theater in Siracusa
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Ancient History Magazine @ancienthistmag.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Ancient trade in the Indian Ocean: Jeremy Simmons shares insights on how India and Rome interacted through commerce. Tune in to the latest podcast episode. bit.ly/3SWncDV
Ancient History Podcast - Indian Ocean Trade
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Jon Danziger @danziger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Every subject should be divided in two: teach students to eat paste in one part, teach students to flourish without eating paste in the other - and, crucially, examine both.
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Professor Nutella @jpnudell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
“The better you know a subject” is the caveat that makes me think that anything to do with AI needs to be downstream of, you know, teaching the subject.
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Asian Review of Books @asianreviewofbooks.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
📰 Today in the ARB: James Herndon reviews “Sea of Treasures” by Jeremy A Simmons @princetonupress.bsky.social buff.ly/FfUJqpG
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This was such a fun conversation, now live @ancienthistmag.bsky.social. Listen at the link or wherever you get podcasts! www.karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/blogs/...
karwansaraypublishers.com
Ancient History Podcast - Indian Ocean Trade
In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jeremy Simmons about ancient trade in the India Ocean, sources for understanding such trade, and how people in both India and the Roman Empire interacted wit...
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 03/09/2026
The story is not and has never been the declining enrollments or majors (administrators pick whichever metric best suits their ultimate end) in humanities programs, but rather their systemic, deliberate starvation of resources + culture wars attacks aimed at caricaturing / discrediting them
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Now via UChicago News: news.uchicago.edu/story/what-a...
news.uchicago.edu
What ancient trade tells us about globalization
In ‘Sea of Treasures,’ UChicago historian Jeremy A. Simmons explores how commerce on the Indian Ocean reshaped Roman ideas of luxury and identity
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
For those in the Chicago area: I’ll be discussing my book, “Sea of Treasures,” with my colleague, Derek Kennet, at the wonderful Seminary Co-op (@seminarycoopbooks.bsky.social) in Hyde Park on Sep. 22. Details in the link! www.semcoop.com/event/jeremy...
semcoop.com
Jeremy Simmons - "Sea of Treasures" - Derek Kennet | Seminary Co-op Bookstores
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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
In Sea of Treasures, @caeliambulator.bsky.social puts forth a new perspective on Indian Ocean commerce, starting with commodities of trade & the patterns of consumption that resulted from their importation. Out now (15 Sept UK pub). Explore a free preview: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Sea of Treasures: A Cultural History of Ancient Indian Ocean Trade by Jeremy A. Simmons
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Elizabeth Heintges @heintgestae.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
At my first White Sox game (!) and already one person in my section has been publicly shamed for putting ketchup on a hotdog 😂 #chicago
Rate Field, Chicago
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
UChicago's Social Sciences Division (not on here) did a nice write-up of the book for @uchicagohistory.bsky.social socialsciences.uchicago.edu/news/new-boo...
socialsciences.uchicago.edu
A new book on ancient Indian Ocean trade considers the effects of objects in motion | The University of Chicago Division of the Social Sciences
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Ian Petrie @icpetrie.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
New addition to my library... press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
My hand holding Jeremy Simmons' SEA OF TREASURES: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIAN OCEAN TRADE

Cover image is a detail from the Miller Atlas (1519) including a variety of ships and, on land, a lion and a rhino
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Brian Ulrich @brianjulrich.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
It is U.S. publication day for my colleague Jonathan Skaff for his book on how Silk Road tombs show cultural contestation and definition, from @princetonupress.bsky.social!
press.princeton.edu
Silk Roads, Steppe Roads
An innovative study of medieval Chinese tombs that provides new insights into the history of Eurasian cultural contact and exchange
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Karl Galle @karlgalle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
And just out this week, see also @caeliambulator.bsky.social's new book: bsky.app/profile/prin...
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Dr Victoria Austen @vickyausten.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Lucky enough to hear a snippet of this material when @caeliambulator.bsky.social spoke at UIUC earlier this year! Run don’t walk to order yourself a copy!
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Kate Elliott @kateelliottsff.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Oh gosh, this looks interesting!!!
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Out today!
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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
How goods and people in motion across the ancient world were entangled through consumption. Sea of Treasures by @caeliambulator.bsky.social is now available (15 September UK/EU pub). Learn more: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco... #AncientWorld #AncientHistory #History
Sea of Treasures: A Cultural History of Ancient Indian Ocean Trade by Jeremy A. Simmons
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Christopher W. Jones @cwjones.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Academic life, summarized by my 3 year old pretending to be a college professor: "I'm going to teach classes! And grade papers! And do other things that I don't know what they are!"
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
One week away from release! “Sea of Treasures: A Cultural History of Ancient Indian Ocean Trade” available for preorder @princetonupress.bsky.social with this discount code for 30% off at checkout: P329 press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Cover image of “Sea of Treasures: A Cultural History of Ancient Indian Ocean Trade” by Jeremy A. Simmons (Princeton University Press) on an aquamarine background. Additional white text frames the book: “One week away!” and “Discount Code: P329”
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
At Haneda about to head home. Already reminiscing about the time I spent in jazz kissa while in Tokyo—each with a different, but impeccable vibe. Even got to see Dug before its final day in operation (people were queuing in a typhoon to get in)!
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
After my talk today, I drove up to Katsuren-jo, one of many Ryukyu castles on Okinawa, dating to the 15th century. This one has the added bonus of turning up a small hoard of fourth-century Roman coins, which was in the news a while back. A cool mystery!
View of the central fortification, Katsuren-jo, OkinawaOuter fortifications, Katsuren-jo, OkinawaMuseum display of fourth-century Roman coins discovered at Katsuren-jo, Okinawa Museum display of foreign coins found at Katsuren-jo, Okinawa. Google Translate of main label in Japanese: “A total of 10 Western coins were discovered in the fourth enclosure and outside the castle. Nine are believed to be Roman Empire coins, and the remaining one is thought to be an Ottoman Empire coin minted in 1687, but the circumstances of how these coins came to Katsuren Gusuku are unknown”
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Got to see some Kofun tumuli near Todoroki today—at least from the outside. Very helpful archaeological drawings of the burial chambers and funerary deposits!
Entrance to Kofun tumulus no. 3, Todoroki Ravine ParkNoge Otsuka tumulus, Kofun periodPlacard in Todoroki Ravine Park, with drawing of chamber in Kofun tumulusDrawing of burial chambers on top of the Noge Otsuka tumulus
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Some absolute gems of ancient Japanese art in the Tokyo National Museum, including haniwa of the Kofun period (mid-first millennium CE), terracotta figures which accompanied those buried in large tumuli. Also a lovely clay conch from the second millennium BCE!
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Jeremy Simmons @caeliambulator.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Fighting the jet lag and the stormy weather on my first night in Tokyo with some ramen and a jazz kissa
A nice bowl of broth with duck, noodles, bamboo shoots, and green onions (yuzu kosho in the background)A Caol Ila 12 yr highball on a wooden bar, with the lamps and coffee pots of the kissaten behind. Not visible are the immaculate, audible vibes
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Matthew @mapoochoo.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
The Met put its entire collection online for free so I made a game out of it! 10 artifacts a day, and you guess where and when each one's from. Anthropeum.com if anyone wants to give it a shot and leave feedback :) #history #archeology #arthistory #museums
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John Ma 🇺🇦 @nakhthor.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Allow me to expand. There are examples of pre-modern states ruled for the greater good. City states are surely a prime example. I wrote a book on one particular form, the Greek polis 1/ press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu
Polis
A definitive new history of the origins, evolution, and scope of the ancient Greek city-state
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Ted McCormick @tedmccormick.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Some stray thoughts on gap-filling. Take them for what they are 1. Gaps in archives are not like rips in clothing; they don't have a well defined and wholly known, or in the broadest sense wholly knowable, shape or extent. You can't cut a patch for them or fill them with putty and smooth them over.
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 12/06/2026
<center-right spends half a century waging a war to discredit humanities knowledge bc it challenges their counter-majoritarian political project> Media: “why is nobody majoring in English? Because it became too woke.”
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Mark Levin @levinchem.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I did a thing: chicagomaroon.com/52978/viewpo...
chicagomaroon.com
Welcoming Claude Into the Classroom Risks the Soul of Education
Faculty have a responsibility to protect classrooms as a training ground for thinking, and proliferating LLMs endanger this core mission of the University.
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