iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Karen Graubart @kbgraubart.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Grateful for this recognition! Also a shout-out to Reviewer 2, who caught a big error in an earlier version, peer review is a gift.

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 02/10/2026

The BCDSS invites applications for Heinz Heinen Fellowships 2027/2028, open to doctoral, postdoctoral and senior scholars and Alternative Knowledge Producers. Proposals on the period before 1900. Deadline: 10 January 2027. buff.ly/q7D1TvA @unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

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University of Cambridge @cam.ac.uk · 02/10/2026

In the early Middle Ages, the Anglo-Saxons developed a “Little England” in Rome. New research from @rorynaismith.bsky.social @francescatinti.bsky.social @department-asnc.bsky.social suggests that early English expats avoided ‘travel money’ hassle thanks to the Pope. More: bit.ly/4hrFfKc

The image features a street scene in Rome. Superimposed is an inset of an historic illustration, depicting a seated figure in medieval attire reading a book. The text reads: "New Cambridge research: Anglo-Saxon expats received special treatment from the Pope in Rome's 'Little England.'"

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Gender & History Journal @genderandhistory.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We are excited to announce our Annual Lecture 2026! Prof. Judith Evans-Grubbs (Emory University) "An Illegal and Dishonorable Deed": The Sale of Children by their Parents in the Roman Empire (200-600 CE) Wednesday, 21 October, 3:30 PM-5 PM (further details and links to come) #skyhistorians

eventbrite.co.uk

Gender & History Annual Lecture 2026

Professor Judith Evans-Grubbs (Emory University) will speak on the Sale of Children by their Parents in the Roman Empire (200-600 CE)

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Rory Naismith @rorynaismith.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Very pleased to have worked on this fascinating group of finds with the wonderful @francescatinti.bsky.social , and thanks to the comms team @cam.ac.uk for putting together the release. www.cam.ac.uk/stories/angl...

cam.ac.uk

Anglo-Saxon expats got special treatment in Rome’s 'Little England'

The first material evidence of the Schola Saxonum suggests the Anglo-Saxons in Rome were a thriving and valued expat community.

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Back safely from our ancient history tour to Venetia et Histria. Day 9: a last minute panic over a lost document, the filing if a police report and a manic race through Venice airport to catch our flight. It’s never dull travelling with students 😉

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 8: Ad Pirum pass (of battle at the Frigidus fame) and Triest.

View on the upper section of the fort at the Ad Pirum pass.

the Riccardo arch in Triest, a Marble Arch of the 1st century CE

The Roman theatre in Triest, view from the stage side

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 7: Cividale del Friuli and Aquileia (again)

Modern statue of Julius Caesar, founder of Forum Iulii, Cividale

The altar donated by Lombard duke Ratchis at Cividale, with a light installation

A detail of a 1st BC century mosaic from a Roman house in Aquileia, showing a bow

A detail of the mosaic from the early Christian basilica at Aquileia, showing a female bust

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

And one for the late antique crowd: a spectacular burial ad sanctos of the senatorial lady Faustiniana, behind the apse of the martyr chapel at the bishop’s church in Concordia Sagittaria, 5th century CE. The martyrs’ names are lost to us, but they meant a lot to Faustiniana #namelessinhistory

A burial chamber with a sarcophagus decorated with marble, opus sectile and columns

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 6: Concordia Sagittaria, Grado and a small part of Aquileia (back there tomorrow)

View from above of a triconch structure with a cross shaped hole for relics in the centre, 5th century, Concordia Sagittaris

Relief with three male figures holding fasces, 1st century CE, museum of Concordia Sagittaria at Portogruaro

A sixth century manuscript of the Gospels from Forum Iulii, currently on display atAquileia

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @uni-bonn.de in Venetia et Histria. Day 5: Venice

Venice Skyline seen from a boat on the lagoon

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 4: Hypogeum at S. Maria di Stelle, Montegrotto Terme and Altinum

View of mosaic floor of the hypogeum at S. Maria di Stelle through a whole in the floor of the church above

View over Roman thermal complex, Montegrotto delle Terme

A line of people walking through a field

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from ancient history @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 3: Brescia

View of the ruins of the Capitolium of Roman Brescia

The Winged Victory of Brescia, bronze, 1st century CE

A mosaic floor of a Roman town house, Brescia

The Desiderius cross, a Lombard era monumental cross covered in Roman gems

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from Ancient History @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 2: Verona

View over Roman theatre, the river Adige and the city of Verona

Roman city gate, Porta dei Borsari, Verona

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

On tour with my lovely students and colleagues from Ancient History @unibonn.bsky.social in Venetia et Histria. Day 1: Sirmione and Desenzano

Ruins of the langobard monastery of San Salvatore in Sirmione

A view of Lake Garda from the so-called grotte di Catullo, a Roman villa

A mosaic floor of a late antique villa at Desenzano

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Robin Peters @robinpeters85.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Heute ist noch bis 18 Uhr der #TagderArchäologie in Titz (Kr. Düren) mit: - Grabungsbesichtigung - Fund-Highlights - Reenactment & experim. Archäologie - Kinderprogramm - lecker Essen & Trinken Eintritt ist frei! #Archäologie #TagDerOffenenTür #NRW www.lvr.de/bodendenkmal...

Unsere Taberna verkauft heute einen Schweinegulasch nach römischen Rezept und Moretum, eine Art Feta-Dipp.

Auch Reenactor sind mit dabei und es wird archäolog. Experimente geben.

In unserer Ausstellung zeigen wir spannende Neufunde. Wissenschaftler*innen stellen ihre Projekte und Grabungen vor.

Eines der kleinen Eisenzeithäuser mit authentischer Coca Cola-Flasche und Feuerlöscher. ;-)

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 18/09/2026

Tobacco Echoes is now open at GHL! Artists Ngozi Ajah Schommers & Etinosa Yvonne trace tobacco's colonial history through drawing, assemblage, photo & sound, honouring the women whose labour sustained its cultivation in Oyo State, Nigeria. Through 6 Dec, Wed-Sun 14-18h. P26, Poststraße 26, Bonn

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 18/09/2026

The Namelessness in History workshop wrapped up at BCDSS: two days of studying people left unnamed by history, from ancient epigraphy to LLMs. Part of "The Nameless in History," funded by @volkswagenstiftung.de. Thanks to all who took part. @unibonn.bsky.social

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Had a fabulous time at the first day of our workshop on The Nameless in History. Lots of fantastic inspiration from many disciplines on how to deal with this particular gap in our knowledge. Among others my terrific colleague Pia Wiegmink spoke about US memorials for the nameless enslaved

A woman giving a talk in front of a screen showing a memorial from the University of Virginia campus

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Very interesting study on the state of the Humanities in Germany (in German). German universities lost more Humanities students than UK universities since 2013, especially in German studies and European languages. Also, German Humanities professors are really old :)

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Dr. Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele @drdragases.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

And how could I not include Constantine and Helena with the Cross, for @writinghelena.bsky.social

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Laury Sarti @laurysarti.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Workshop Namelessness in History: Methodological Challenges and Transdisciplinary Perspectives, September 17-18

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Dr Victoria Leonard @tigerlilyrocks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Certainly one for Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social

Image of the book cover 'Helena Augusta' by Julia Hillner

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 14/09/2026

Upcoming International Workshop! How do historical narratives of violence and trauma evolve into modern systemic structures and psychological realities? 📅 October 5-6. 2026 🕓️ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Egyptian Museum, Poststraße 26, 53111 Bonn For more 👉️ buff.ly/sYyhrpC @unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

My university rates me so highly that they put me on a construction fence 😉 But what I say is true "Wir erforschen Abhängigkeiten wie Sklaverei, Zwangsarbeit oder auch Ausbeutung im häuslichen Bereich. Die gab es immer und gibt es bis heute. Starke asymmetrische Abhängigkeiten gehen uns alle an."

A 19th century building with a dome in course of restoration, with a construction fence displaying professors of the University of Bonn

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Laury Sarti @laurysarti.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Heute ging mit der Pensionierung von Matthias Becher eine Ära zu Ende. Zugleich habe ich offiziell den Bonner Lehrstuhl für Mittelalterliche Geschichte übernommen. Mit großem Respekt vor dem, was war, und Freude auf das, was kommt. Unsere neue Website: www.igw.uni-bonn.de/de/institut/...

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Tadeus Calinca @tadeuscalinca.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I have browsed the two volumes of "A Companion to Rome (c. 400–c. 1050)", edited by C. Goodson and J. Hillner (Brill, 2026), and I can say it's quite impressive. Very useful to understand the city of Rome in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Three remarkable Merovingian royal women, reconstructed from the costumes they were buried in, probably Wisigarde (510-538/40), Arnegunde (515-580) and Balthild (c.633-680). I love their presence; wish they'd been drawn older. By F Vincent in P Perin & E Wamers, Königinnen der Merowinger (2013)

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 21/08/2026

Applications are now open for a W2 Professorship in Cultural Heritage with a focus on German Colonialism with Tenure Track W3. Full job advertisement here: buff.ly/cCW52Ff @unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 21/08/2026

Applications are now open for a W2 Professorship in Economic Anthropology with Tenure Track W3. Full job advertisement here: buff.ly/QNAxMgN @unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

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James Harland @jmharland.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Maybe this is just my naivety, and it's always good to have the receipts, but I'd sort of taken it as a given that members of the City would have had ties to the triangular trade?

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Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

August 18 is the feast day of Saint Helena, former stabularia (often an enslaved stablekeeper) & mother of Constantine. She is the patron saint of archaeologists for sending a brigade to excavate the True Cross but as @writinghelena.bsky.social shows: she was much more global.oup.com/academic/pro...

A fresco from Trier, Germany, possibly depicting Helena, c. 310
Marco Prins
CC0 via wikimedia

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

This time last year! You can now watch all of this, including what yours truly has to say about Helena, in an ARTE documentary www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYk_...

youtube.com

Konstantin der Große: Auf Entdeckungsreise in Europa | Doku HD | ARTE

YouTube video by ARTEde

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Spread the word and see particularly the Research Group Leader position for the Research Group “Computational Dependencies and Cultural Data Studies”. If you are interested in developing critical digital humanities methods for the study of marginalized historical actors, this might be for you!

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Dido with attendants and a goddess personifying Africa (suggested by the elephant headdress). In the distance there is a ship which suggests this scene depicts the moment Dido realises that Aeneas had unceremoniously dumped her to continue his quest to found Rome. #AncientRome #AncientBluesky🏺

Detail from a fresco found in the House of Meleager (Pompeii VI.9.2) now held in the MAN Napoli, inv. 8898. First image shows Dido seated with two attendants. One holds a parasol over Dido’s head while the other holds what seems to be a piece of ivory. The second image shows a goddess who seems to be wearing an elephant head as part of her headdress suggesting she’s a representation of Africa.

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Mateusz Fafinski @calthalas.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Proofs! Coming to you soon in the Journal of Roman Studies (in full open access)

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

The amazing Liz James first suggested that the couple shown on Pontius Pilate's very late antique looking governor tribunal in the illuminations of the mid-sixth century Rossano Gospels are emperor and empress, rather than two emperors. I think she's right not only because...1/

Rossano Gospels, illuminations of Christ before Pilate. Start of the proceedings, with the suicide of Judas in the lower register, folio 8r; c. 550. Imperial couple shown on table cloth and on standards. Image from Wikimedia Commons, in public domain

Rossano Gospels, illuminations of Christ before Pilate. Culmination of proceedings, with crowd demanding Jesus’ crucifixion and the release of Barabbas, who is shown in the lower register; folio 8v; c. 550. Imperial couple shown on table cloth and on standards. Image from Wikimedia Commons, in public domain

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Imogen Herrad @writingannagreen.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Excited to see the first draft programme of an academic workshop I'm co-organising. Will post full details once we got iron all the typos out.

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Proofs! (including of the dust jacket :)

Dustjacket of Women and Justice: Female Legal Agency in Late Antiquity and Beyond.

https://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10.3828/9781807810702

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I normally don’t subtweet, but feel compelled to repost this. Please guys in my field, do not employ what you think is „critical fabulation“, without engaging with Black feminist scholarship (and then you probably won’t).

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Eleanor J Bailey @mediev-el.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

What a pleasant surprise to return to from holiday! Super happy to have my first article out with Journal of Medieval History as part of the 'Loyalty in Medieval Europe' special issue. Thank you again to the editors @hannah-boston.bsky.social and Chris Lewis! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

tandfonline.com

Letters of Pardon, Oaths, and the Limits of Loyalty during the Lancastrian Conquest and Rule of France, 1419–24

This article examines letters of pardon for what they can reveal about loyalty during political regime change. The ability to pardon was a royal privilege, particularly important for establishing a...

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

And at another lectio ultima, this time of Wolfram Kinzig, one of the greatest church historians. We’re already at the thanksgiving by some of the many people whose lives he touched.

A packed audience watching a row of people delivering a present to an honorabelste

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

12 PhD positions are available within the DFG Research Training Group ‘Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison’ @unibonn.bsky.social. Projects about reconciliation in the ancient world are very welcome! More info here www.reconciliation.uni-bonn.de/en and job ad below.

uni-bonn.de

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Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · 17/07/2026

A big thank you to the Roman Bonn Team, Giulia Cappucci, James Harland and Julia Hillner for that great tour yesterday, uncovering centuries of history right beneath Bonn! 👉 Discover more about hidden history here: buff.ly/m02KX8N @unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

At the lectio ultima of Matthias Becher, great early medievalist in Bonn, whom we will miss dearly. But now: Edgitha, wife of Otto I

First slide of Wo ist die Königin? Editha von Wessex hinter Isotopen und Historiographen

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Julia Hillner @writinghelena.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

On a tour of Roman Bonn again, with the inestimable Giulia Cappucci explaining the tomb stone of Euthenia, a female slave who lived in Bonn in the first century CE

A group of people standing under trees among Roman tombstone listening to a woman talking

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