My Research

Roman Archaeology

My academic and professional journey has been deeply rooted in my fascination with the archaeology, culture, and urbanization of Roman Greece. I am particularly intrigued by the transformative processes that shaped Greek cities under Roman rule, both architecturally and culturally. The interactions between local traditions and imperial influences provide a rich field for exploring how identity, memory, and power were negotiated in urban spaces such as agoras, sanctuaries, and fortifications.

My research seeks to uncover how Roman administrative and cultural practices redefined the built environment and everyday life in Greek cities, while also preserving elements of their Hellenistic heritage. This duality offers a compelling lens to examine the complexity of cultural integration and the resilience of local traditions.

I am equally passionate about the spatial and societal dynamics of urbanization during this period, particularly how infrastructure like roads and fortifications facilitated connectivity and regional development. Through interdisciplinary approaches—including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital reconstructions—I strive to bridge historical narratives with cutting-edge technology, shedding light on the urban and rural landscapes of Roman Greece.

My ultimate goal is to contribute to a broader understanding of how cities functioned as hubs of cultural exchange and innovation during this fascinating era of transition.

Roman Seminar

The Roman Seminar in Greece is an essential academic initiative that provides a platform for scholars to explore and discuss all aspects of Roman culture and society in Greece. Co-organized by Vassilis Evangelidis since 2012, this seminar fosters an interdisciplinary approach to Roman studies, bringing together researchers from various fields such as archaeology, history, art history, and ancient studies. The seminar's primary goal is to create an open space for presenting new research, sharing ideas, and engaging in productive discussions about the Roman period in Greece, its impact on local societies, and its broader connections within the Roman Empire.

This seminar not only supports advanced academic dialogue but also works to promote public understanding of Roman Greece's heritage. By incorporating various perspectives and methodologies, it allows for a comprehensive exploration of topics like Roman urbanization, material culture, and the evolution of Roman infrastructure in the Greek world. The Roman Seminar is a significant contributor to the ongoing scholarly conversation about the legacy of Roman influence on modern-day Greece and its archaeological landscape. Through its open-access platform and regular conferences, the seminar continues to inspire future generations of scholars while enhancing the public's appreciation of this fascinating historical period.

Digital Archaeology

My research interests extend deeply into the realm of digital archaeology, where I explore innovative methodologies to uncover, analyze, and interpret the past. I am particularly focused on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to study the spatial dynamics of ancient landscapes, enabling a more nuanced understanding of how environmental and human factors shaped settlement patterns, infrastructure, and cultural interactions.

Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) is another cornerstone of my work, providing a means to simulate and investigate the complexities of social and environmental processes in antiquity. This computational approach allows for the testing of hypotheses about human behavior, mobility, and decision-making in dynamic archaeological contexts.

A unique and interdisciplinary dimension of my research involves the use of slime moulds as analog models for understanding ancient networks and infrastructure. These unconventional biological systems, known for their efficiency in forming networks, offer surprising insights into the optimization of ancient transportation and communication routes, such as the Roman roads and the famed Via Egnatia.

By combining these advanced tools and methodologies, my goal is to bridge traditional archaeological inquiry with cutting-edge technologies, fostering new perspectives on the ancient world. These efforts are particularly directed toward reconstructing and interpreting the cultural landscapes of Roman Greece, with a commitment to advancing the integration of digital approaches into archaeological scholarship.

AeGIS Lab

The AeGIS (Archaeological GIS) Laboratory at the Athena Research Center is a pivotal institution in the field of digital archaeology, combining innovative technologies with traditional archaeological methods. Established by Despoina Tsiafaki and Vassilis Evangelidis, the lab serves as a center for exploring the intersection of archaeology, digital tools, and computational methods. It is dedicated to enhancing our understanding of cultural landscapes, human-environment interaction, and ancient urbanization through advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies.

The AeGIS Lab plays a crucial role in the study of ancient sites by creating digital reconstructions, spatial analysis, and 3D modeling, enabling archaeologists to visualize and interpret archaeological landscapes in new ways. This is especially important in the context of Roman and Hellenistic Greece, where understanding the spatial organization of cities, infrastructure, and natural environments offers valuable insights into ancient life and urban planning. Moreover, the lab's interdisciplinary approach—combining archaeology, computer science, geography, and environmental studies—has pushed the boundaries of how archaeological research is conducted and presented.

Through projects such as the digitization of archaeological data and the use of agent-based modeling (ABM) to simulate human behavior, the lab facilitates a deeper understanding of ancient societies, including their social dynamics and development patterns. The collaboration within AeGIS extends to various research fields, fostering not only academic inquiry but also broader public engagement with cultural heritage. This focus on digital tools and interdisciplinary collaboration represents a significant step forward in the future of archaeological research, ensuring that the study of the past continues to evolve alongside technological advancements.

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