I was born in Russia, and grew up in Israel. It took me a while to figure this out, but it was these experiences that have been driving me to seek "big picture" ways that connect the past and the present. I am a military historian of the Greco-Roman world, and the co-editor (together with Nicola Foote) of Civilians and Warfare in World History (Routledge, 2017). 

While I continue to write for academic audiences, much of my writing of late focuses on demonstrating the relevance of ancient history for non-academic audiences. This interest spills over into my teaching, where I focus on helping students find their voice as historians, writers, and creative analytical thinkers. 

I am a regular contributor to Anxious Bench on Patheos and to Current, where I am Book Review Editor and also edit The Arena blog. 

My essays have also appeared in Plough, Front Porch Republic, Church Life Journal, History News Network, History Today Magazine, The Conversation, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Inside Higher Education.