CJ Schmidt (he/him)
@cjosephus.bsky.social
historian of (late) ancient Mediterranean religion + medicine | PhD dropout | #FirstGen | #Neurodivergent | #SOTL + pedagogy nerd | horror aficionado | Whovian | washed-up lacrosse player 🥍 | @vox-magica.bsky.social stan | 🇺🇸 immigrant in 🇮🇹 (Rome)
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
My latest for Nat Geo on things you didn't know about Roman Emperors. Co-authored with Max J. Foa and featuring the work of @sarahebond.bsky.social, Stephanie Frampton, A. B. Bosworth, and Tom Geue.
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
The Roman emperor who died from eating too much cheese
Lots of emperors met ignominious ends. And then there was Antoninus Pius.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM
My latest for Nat Geo on things you didn't know about Roman Emperors. Co-authored with Max J. Foa and featuring the work of @sarahebond.bsky.social, Stephanie Frampton, A. B. Bosworth, and Tom Geue.
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
this is required reading today. much love to my work co-conspirator @slyprofessor.bsky.social for this.
It's absolutely the norm in our field for scholars, often senior ones, to publicly direct their ire at people trying to de-platform the reputaion of known sexual predators, not at the sexual predators. The "but his work?!" and "Don't let his mistakes define him" is beyond predictable. 🤮
Love the Scholarship But Hate the Scholar’s Sin?: 'Himpathy' for an Academic Pedophile Enables a Culture of Abuse
In her excellent book Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny, the philosopher Kate Manne coined the term Himpathy, which she defined as “the excessive sympathy sometimes shown toward male perpetrators of se...
religiondispatches.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
this is required reading today. much love to my work co-conspirator @slyprofessor.bsky.social for this.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Really, truly good news---the series eds are real writers, who understand writing processes and are looking to work with real writers!
I am pleased to announce that John Penniman, Emanuel Fiano, and I are launching a new book series for the study of religion in late antiquity with Fordham University Press. If you have a book-in-progress looking for a home, please reach out to discuss your project!
fordhampress.com/theoria
fordhampress.com/theoria
November 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Really, truly good news---the series eds are real writers, who understand writing processes and are looking to work with real writers!
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
I’m only $110 away from my goal: supporting a Gazan translator for making an Arabic version of my forthcoming short intro and sourcebook of late ancient Gazan literature!
(Thx to a friend donating $100 off-platform)
Please consider chipping in a few dollars to reach the goal!
spot.fund/klk26smsc
(Thx to a friend donating $100 off-platform)
Please consider chipping in a few dollars to reach the goal!
spot.fund/klk26smsc
Click here to support Chance Bonar's story *AncientGazanLitTranslation
*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.
spot.fund
November 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I’m only $110 away from my goal: supporting a Gazan translator for making an Arabic version of my forthcoming short intro and sourcebook of late ancient Gazan literature!
(Thx to a friend donating $100 off-platform)
Please consider chipping in a few dollars to reach the goal!
spot.fund/klk26smsc
(Thx to a friend donating $100 off-platform)
Please consider chipping in a few dollars to reach the goal!
spot.fund/klk26smsc
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Come to my book review panel at #AARSBL2025 ! A cross-organization, interdisciplinary joint session, Sat. Nov 22 @ 1-3:30 Hynes Convention Center 201 -- if not for me, then to hear one of these fabulous panelists! @jaxhidalgo.bsky.social @elprofebarba.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Come to my book review panel at #AARSBL2025 ! A cross-organization, interdisciplinary joint session, Sat. Nov 22 @ 1-3:30 Hynes Convention Center 201 -- if not for me, then to hear one of these fabulous panelists! @jaxhidalgo.bsky.social @elprofebarba.bsky.social
I am so proud of @vox-magica.bsky.social!! Cannot wait to dive into her latest book!
November 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I am so proud of @vox-magica.bsky.social!! Cannot wait to dive into her latest book!
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My book is now available open access on project muse, with OAPen launch coming soon. Hard copies should start going out this week (if they have not already): you can get yours for 50% off with code SAR50.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
honored to be part of this #ScholarSunday. check out all this amazing work!!
It’s November, and like Mariah it’s time for my 248th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week to be defrosted. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 248 (11/2/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
It’s November, and like Mariah it’s time for my 248th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week to be defrosted. Add ...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
honored to be part of this #ScholarSunday. check out all this amazing work!!
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Announcing a brand new series launching this #Halloween 👻
Manchester Studies in the Supernatural explores how the #supernatural shapes human experience across time and place.
Bridging disciplines and challenging boundaries, it welcomes bold new research on the #occult and the #unseen
Manchester Studies in the Supernatural explores how the #supernatural shapes human experience across time and place.
Bridging disciplines and challenging boundaries, it welcomes bold new research on the #occult and the #unseen
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Announcing a brand new series launching this #Halloween 👻
Manchester Studies in the Supernatural explores how the #supernatural shapes human experience across time and place.
Bridging disciplines and challenging boundaries, it welcomes bold new research on the #occult and the #unseen
Manchester Studies in the Supernatural explores how the #supernatural shapes human experience across time and place.
Bridging disciplines and challenging boundaries, it welcomes bold new research on the #occult and the #unseen
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
it’s officially book promo time! so, hey, i wrote this book; it comes out in a week! would you mind signal boosting and asking your library to buy it? if you’d like a copy, the code AUFLY30 will get you 30%off.
global.oup.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:44 AM
it’s officially book promo time! so, hey, i wrote this book; it comes out in a week! would you mind signal boosting and asking your library to buy it? if you’d like a copy, the code AUFLY30 will get you 30%off.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
I'm gearing up to record on @mikemotia.bsky.social's New Book Network podcast, and people, if you want to catch up on what's been going on in ancient Mediterranean studies lately, you should go look at his catalog!
newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profil...
newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profil...
New Books Network - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I'm gearing up to record on @mikemotia.bsky.social's New Book Network podcast, and people, if you want to catch up on what's been going on in ancient Mediterranean studies lately, you should go look at his catalog!
newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profil...
newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profil...
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
We are pleased to announce a dedicated podcast feed for "New Books in Late Antiquity," sponsored by Ancient Jew Review. Follow on Apple (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n... ) or
Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/6uGXkAl...) now!
Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/6uGXkAl...) now!
New Books in Late Antiquity
Books Podcast · Interviews with authors of books about Late Antiquity. Sponsored by Ancient Jew Review.
podcasts.apple.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
We are pleased to announce a dedicated podcast feed for "New Books in Late Antiquity," sponsored by Ancient Jew Review. Follow on Apple (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n... ) or
Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/6uGXkAl...) now!
Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/6uGXkAl...) now!
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Please reskeet: CFP is open for the North American Patristics Society meeting, May 21-23, 2026 in Chicago
Submit abstracts either for the general call or to a pre-arranged theme, or you can submit a whole planned session!
Deadline is Nov 19th, details at link:
www.patristics.org/annual-meeti...
Submit abstracts either for the general call or to a pre-arranged theme, or you can submit a whole planned session!
Deadline is Nov 19th, details at link:
www.patristics.org/annual-meeti...
Call for Papers – NAPS – The North American Patristics Society
www.patristics.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Please reskeet: CFP is open for the North American Patristics Society meeting, May 21-23, 2026 in Chicago
Submit abstracts either for the general call or to a pre-arranged theme, or you can submit a whole planned session!
Deadline is Nov 19th, details at link:
www.patristics.org/annual-meeti...
Submit abstracts either for the general call or to a pre-arranged theme, or you can submit a whole planned session!
Deadline is Nov 19th, details at link:
www.patristics.org/annual-meeti...
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Usually, to show an author love, the first rule is: buy the book. And, you can totally buy this book---but, it's also available OA, which means you can in a few weeks' time get it for free.
luminosoa.org/books/m/10.1...
So, the updated rule: to show an author love, get her book and read it!
luminosoa.org/books/m/10.1...
So, the updated rule: to show an author love, get her book and read it!
Things Unseen | University of California Press
How do you know the nature of another person: who she is, or what she is capable of? In four exploratory essays, a seasoned historian examines the mechanisms by which ancient people came to have knowl...
luminosoa.org
October 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Usually, to show an author love, the first rule is: buy the book. And, you can totally buy this book---but, it's also available OA, which means you can in a few weeks' time get it for free.
luminosoa.org/books/m/10.1...
So, the updated rule: to show an author love, get her book and read it!
luminosoa.org/books/m/10.1...
So, the updated rule: to show an author love, get her book and read it!
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
hope we’re all paying attention to the conflation of christianity and neosegregation. hope other christians start pushing back. and i’m biased, but man, i hope schools stop shuttering their religion departments when we need them most.
Eric Trump: "We're saving Christianity. We've saving God. We've saving the family unit. We're saving this nation. I mean, DEI is out of the window, Benny. You no longer have Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem. You no longer have Budweiser going woke as hell. All of this is dead."
October 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
hope we’re all paying attention to the conflation of christianity and neosegregation. hope other christians start pushing back. and i’m biased, but man, i hope schools stop shuttering their religion departments when we need them most.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Seems hyperbolic, is documentary
Higher Ed in 2025 is opening your mailbox to see that your institution has sent you:
1. A Center for Teaching and Learning call to integrate AI into your classroom; and
2. An Office of Academic Integrity email encouraging you to crack down on students who use AI to cheat.
1. A Center for Teaching and Learning call to integrate AI into your classroom; and
2. An Office of Academic Integrity email encouraging you to crack down on students who use AI to cheat.
October 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Seems hyperbolic, is documentary
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
This remains the most important piece i’ve written about the goals and ideological principles of the second Trump administration www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
bsky.app/profile/jame...
bsky.app/profile/jame...
October 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
This remains the most important piece i’ve written about the goals and ideological principles of the second Trump administration www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
bsky.app/profile/jame...
bsky.app/profile/jame...
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Look, these people are Protestants.
Far-right Catholics freaking out about the Pope doing normal Pope things will always be entertaining.
The Pope blessed some water? Can you even imagine?
The Pope blessed some water? Can you even imagine?
October 1, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Look, these people are Protestants.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
my book_smoke & mirrors_ is out on oxford scholarship online. i have many feelings, mostly good! this was a difficult write for many reasons.
so i hope you find something useful in it if you read it.
so i hope you find something useful in it if you read it.
Smoke & Mirrors: Discourses of Magic in Early Petrine Traditions
Abstract. Smoke & Mirrors: Discourses of Magic in Early Petrine Traditions is a book about how magic disappears from early Christian texts that feature
academic.oup.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
my book_smoke & mirrors_ is out on oxford scholarship online. i have many feelings, mostly good! this was a difficult write for many reasons.
so i hope you find something useful in it if you read it.
so i hope you find something useful in it if you read it.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
I am not willing to concede the Bible to those who wield it like a weapon
I am not willing to concede the Bible to those who wield it like a weapon
An interview with Zach W. Lambert
sarahbessey.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I am not willing to concede the Bible to those who wield it like a weapon
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Hahahaha Academia Dot Your Stuff Is Yours messed up so badly that Humanities Commons is currently down, lol
When it comes back, scholar friends, go get yourself a profile at a place that won't steaI from you
When it comes back, scholar friends, go get yourself a profile at a place that won't steaI from you
September 21, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Hahahaha Academia Dot Your Stuff Is Yours messed up so badly that Humanities Commons is currently down, lol
When it comes back, scholar friends, go get yourself a profile at a place that won't steaI from you
When it comes back, scholar friends, go get yourself a profile at a place that won't steaI from you
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
September 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
These ads all feel like they’re from a movie about fascism, a parody. But no, Fascism is literally this.
The “deep danger voice”, the 13-year-old’s GI Joe power fantasy, the black/white “good vs evil” presentation, the big letters in all caps…
It’s literally tailored to people who don’t think.
The “deep danger voice”, the 13-year-old’s GI Joe power fantasy, the black/white “good vs evil” presentation, the big letters in all caps…
It’s literally tailored to people who don’t think.
September 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
These ads all feel like they’re from a movie about fascism, a parody. But no, Fascism is literally this.
The “deep danger voice”, the 13-year-old’s GI Joe power fantasy, the black/white “good vs evil” presentation, the big letters in all caps…
It’s literally tailored to people who don’t think.
The “deep danger voice”, the 13-year-old’s GI Joe power fantasy, the black/white “good vs evil” presentation, the big letters in all caps…
It’s literally tailored to people who don’t think.
Reposted by CJ Schmidt (he/him)
Karina Villa protecting her constituents by literally running ICE off the streets in West Chicago and yelling to residents to stay inside their homes.
September 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Karina Villa protecting her constituents by literally running ICE off the streets in West Chicago and yelling to residents to stay inside their homes.