Alexandra Sills
@belovedofoizys.bsky.social
Ancient Historian. Writing a book about gladiators in greek provinces. Public history devotee. ADHD + ClusterC. Sweary. Expect typos. Birkbeck and Leicester alum
www.ancientalexandra.co.uk
https://linktr.ee/alexandrasills
www.ancientalexandra.co.uk
https://linktr.ee/alexandrasills
Pinned
(PDF) Venues for Spectacle in the Greek East: Architectural Adaptation and Cultural Adoption
PDF | The scarcity of canonical amphitheatres in the culturally Greek eastern parts of the Roman empire has been used as evidence to suggest a... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Res...
www.researchgate.net
Publication day! I spent so long building a mahoosive dataset and GIS that it would be a waste not to share the results. The Greeks didn't build many amphitheatres, but gladiatorial epigraphy has been found on huge numbers. Where did eastern gladiators fight?
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
“In recent days, Ms Amsi's team was able to use heavy equipment to uncover more badly damaged manuscripts. She says it is now clear that the library's archive - seen as an invaluable record of Palestinian history, with many Ottoman records - was totally burned.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
'Like first aid for manuscripts': Recovery work begins at Gaza's war-damaged heritage sites
Palestinians are clearing rubble from archaeological sites, but restoration is hampered by Israeli restrictions on building materials.
www.bbc.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“In recent days, Ms Amsi's team was able to use heavy equipment to uncover more badly damaged manuscripts. She says it is now clear that the library's archive - seen as an invaluable record of Palestinian history, with many Ottoman records - was totally burned.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
I have something so exciting cooking for 2026 and I am having to sit on my hands to not talk about it too soon!
December 8, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I have something so exciting cooking for 2026 and I am having to sit on my hands to not talk about it too soon!
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
Over at @ics.bsky.social we are on the hunt for a Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships). This is an open-ended, open-field T&R lectureship. Please pass on the word - and consider applying if you would like to come and work with us! www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships):London Senate House
The University of London is a leading UK provider of distance and digital education internationally, offering programmes to 45,000 students in 190 countries around the world. Although proudly rooted in London, our community and impact are global.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Over at @ics.bsky.social we are on the hunt for a Lecturer in Classical Studies (Research, Training and Partnerships). This is an open-ended, open-field T&R lectureship. Please pass on the word - and consider applying if you would like to come and work with us! www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Ok, so yes, I did order 2 of everything by mistake. ADHD on full display there. But, I *also* returned everything at the post office within 24 hours, instead of remembering the return deadline 3 months after it passes and losing all my money. I think Vyvanse may actually be helping!!
December 8, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Ok, so yes, I did order 2 of everything by mistake. ADHD on full display there. But, I *also* returned everything at the post office within 24 hours, instead of remembering the return deadline 3 months after it passes and losing all my money. I think Vyvanse may actually be helping!!
Potentially rather interesting: a 5 part docudrama about Diocletian, and all the dialogue is in Latin...
www.croatiaweek.com/croatias-lar...
www.croatiaweek.com/croatias-lar...
December 8, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Potentially rather interesting: a 5 part docudrama about Diocletian, and all the dialogue is in Latin...
www.croatiaweek.com/croatias-lar...
www.croatiaweek.com/croatias-lar...
I should note the context - I voiced the opinion that genocide is Bad. The bar for being a decent person is so low, really, and yet so many gammons feel the need to limbo under it like they're the drunk weird uncle at a wedding.
Just got called a 'lefty woke historian' on FB - I'm not sure why the guy thought it was an insult, it's EXACTLY the vibe I'm going for!
December 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I should note the context - I voiced the opinion that genocide is Bad. The bar for being a decent person is so low, really, and yet so many gammons feel the need to limbo under it like they're the drunk weird uncle at a wedding.
Just got called a 'lefty woke historian' on FB - I'm not sure why the guy thought it was an insult, it's EXACTLY the vibe I'm going for!
December 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Just got called a 'lefty woke historian' on FB - I'm not sure why the guy thought it was an insult, it's EXACTLY the vibe I'm going for!
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
The giveaway is now OPEN and closes at 5pm (UK time) on December 22nd 2025.
Sadly, open only to UK and Eire.
Winners 🎉will be randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 24th 2025.
Ts&Cs available HERE: docs.google.com/docu...
Bona fortuna, omnes! 🤞
Sadly, open only to UK and Eire.
Winners 🎉will be randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 24th 2025.
Ts&Cs available HERE: docs.google.com/docu...
Bona fortuna, omnes! 🤞
Solidarity Saturnalia giveaway T&Cs
GIVEAWAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS Giveaway The giveaway is open for entries as of today, Sunday 7th December 2025 GMT. The giveaway closes Monday 22nd December 2025, 5pm GMT. Eligibility Giveaways are open to anyone aged 18 or over who are residents of the UK & Ireland only. Entrants must be able...
docs.google.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The giveaway is now OPEN and closes at 5pm (UK time) on December 22nd 2025.
Sadly, open only to UK and Eire.
Winners 🎉will be randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 24th 2025.
Ts&Cs available HERE: docs.google.com/docu...
Bona fortuna, omnes! 🤞
Sadly, open only to UK and Eire.
Winners 🎉will be randomly selected and will be notified by email on December 24th 2025.
Ts&Cs available HERE: docs.google.com/docu...
Bona fortuna, omnes! 🤞
Solidarity Saturnalia is upon us once again!
Check out the rules and regs below, you have to be in it to win it!
Check out the rules and regs below, you have to be in it to win it!
🎉 SOLIDARITY SATURNALIA! 🎉
IO SATURNALIA! Our annual festive giveaway is here!
12 bundles of gifts, and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is:
🎄Follow us,
🎄Repost this thread,
🎄And fill out this form: forms.gle/zMcHKZqGNC...
Read on for prizes and T&Cs (UK&I only)...🧵
IO SATURNALIA! Our annual festive giveaway is here!
12 bundles of gifts, and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is:
🎄Follow us,
🎄Repost this thread,
🎄And fill out this form: forms.gle/zMcHKZqGNC...
Read on for prizes and T&Cs (UK&I only)...🧵
December 6, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Solidarity Saturnalia is upon us once again!
Check out the rules and regs below, you have to be in it to win it!
Check out the rules and regs below, you have to be in it to win it!
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
My favourite holiday meme
December 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My favourite holiday meme
I've just seen a museum ad on FB where they're apparently selling Henry VIII and his 6 wives Xmas wreaths, and I can't help thinking that having a wreath decorated with a man and the multiple women he abused, tortured and occasionally killed is in extremely poor taste...
December 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I've just seen a museum ad on FB where they're apparently selling Henry VIII and his 6 wives Xmas wreaths, and I can't help thinking that having a wreath decorated with a man and the multiple women he abused, tortured and occasionally killed is in extremely poor taste...
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
I believe strongly in having a duty to nurture new talent in history. So i was very humbled to receive this in an email from an UG student's supervisor in the USA after I helped do their viva:
'a rare demonstration of collegiality and encouragement for a young scholar from an expert in the field'
'a rare demonstration of collegiality and encouragement for a young scholar from an expert in the field'
December 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I believe strongly in having a duty to nurture new talent in history. So i was very humbled to receive this in an email from an UG student's supervisor in the USA after I helped do their viva:
'a rare demonstration of collegiality and encouragement for a young scholar from an expert in the field'
'a rare demonstration of collegiality and encouragement for a young scholar from an expert in the field'
I will never stop being thrilled that the mighty Jane Masseglia was my MA supervisor - here's her latest research making headlines: phys.org/news/2025-12...
Celebrated Rutland mosaic depicts 'long-lost' Troy story connecting Roman Britain to the ancient classical world
The team behind what has been described as "one of the most significant mosaics discovered in the UK" have revealed that it depicts an alternative "long-lost" telling of the Trojan War. The paper is p...
phys.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I will never stop being thrilled that the mighty Jane Masseglia was my MA supervisor - here's her latest research making headlines: phys.org/news/2025-12...
I got the first proofs of my book today, including maps and plates. I'm finally allowing myself to get excited...
December 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I got the first proofs of my book today, including maps and plates. I'm finally allowing myself to get excited...
Apparently this week is the third anniversary of me giving my first conference paper. These last three years have been bananas!
December 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Apparently this week is the third anniversary of me giving my first conference paper. These last three years have been bananas!
Until two years ago, I adored Eurovision - the kitsch, the glitter, the serotonin. I do think it's irreparably damaged, and I'm thrilled to see broadcasters finally putting their foot down, but it's sad to see Eurovision disintegrating when all that was needed to keep it going was a fucking backbone
December 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Until two years ago, I adored Eurovision - the kitsch, the glitter, the serotonin. I do think it's irreparably damaged, and I'm thrilled to see broadcasters finally putting their foot down, but it's sad to see Eurovision disintegrating when all that was needed to keep it going was a fucking backbone
I truly am my own worst enemy. Having given myself 1 (one) day off after declaring "I will never write another book again, I am burnt out" I am already consumed with an overwhelming desire to write another one. So, this morning will be spent browsing for a new, project designated notebook.
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I truly am my own worst enemy. Having given myself 1 (one) day off after declaring "I will never write another book again, I am burnt out" I am already consumed with an overwhelming desire to write another one. So, this morning will be spent browsing for a new, project designated notebook.
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
Philology. A field wide open for re-evaluation, fresh approaches, new theoretical perspectives, and breaking open new understandings of our texts. Actually.
December 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Philology. A field wide open for re-evaluation, fresh approaches, new theoretical perspectives, and breaking open new understandings of our texts. Actually.
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
For ABSOLUTELY NO REASON at all, did you know that the Critical Ancient World Studies volume has three chapters on critical philology which are all OPEN ACCESS?
December 2, 2025 at 9:31 PM
For ABSOLUTELY NO REASON at all, did you know that the Critical Ancient World Studies volume has three chapters on critical philology which are all OPEN ACCESS?
Just imagine what Sportula, or Working Classicists, or the CUCD et al could do with that money. How many people they could help, and how many barriers they could lower.
December 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Just imagine what Sportula, or Working Classicists, or the CUCD et al could do with that money. How many people they could help, and how many barriers they could lower.
If anyone knows how to ease sleep and headaches caused by Vyvanse, please share your advice!!
December 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
If anyone knows how to ease sleep and headaches caused by Vyvanse, please share your advice!!
Reposted by Alexandra Sills
Some shameless self promotion here… but if you’re interested in using @wikipedia.org @wikieducation.bsky.social in the classroom, I co-wrote an OPEN-ACCESS chapter on this very topic with Chelsea Gardner available here www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-... 👇🏻
December 2, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Some shameless self promotion here… but if you’re interested in using @wikipedia.org @wikieducation.bsky.social in the classroom, I co-wrote an OPEN-ACCESS chapter on this very topic with Chelsea Gardner available here www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-... 👇🏻
If you're in striking distance of Chester on the 15th of January, come and hear me talk about the tangled topic of women and the Roman arena at the beautiful Grosvenor Museum. Tickets available below: visitcheshire.com/events/women...
Women of the Roman Arena | Visit Chester & Cheshire
Join ancient historian Alexandra Sills as she uncovers the forgotten story of female gladiators in Rome's most masculine arena.
visitcheshire.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:59 PM
If you're in striking distance of Chester on the 15th of January, come and hear me talk about the tangled topic of women and the Roman arena at the beautiful Grosvenor Museum. Tickets available below: visitcheshire.com/events/women...
In hindsight, I should have asked for a month off to recuperate, instead of starting ADHD titration 2 days before handing the book manuscript in. I am burnt out, which is the wrong time to start fiddling with my brain chemistry, and I should have just had a rest. I never give myself time to rest.
December 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
In hindsight, I should have asked for a month off to recuperate, instead of starting ADHD titration 2 days before handing the book manuscript in. I am burnt out, which is the wrong time to start fiddling with my brain chemistry, and I should have just had a rest. I never give myself time to rest.
Two of my favourite people in conversation: @mythsbaby.bsky.social chats to @badancient.bsky.social about his barnstormer of a book: open.spotify.com/episode/45oc...
Conversations: Life At the Far Edges of a Crumbling Empire... w/ Owen Rees
open.spotify.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Two of my favourite people in conversation: @mythsbaby.bsky.social chats to @badancient.bsky.social about his barnstormer of a book: open.spotify.com/episode/45oc...