Cambridge unlocks the politics of the past with free access to classical studies collection
Explore power, philosophy, and political thought in ancient civilizations — now free to access until 30 April 2025.
The Wren Library inside Neville's Court is pictured at Trinity College, part of the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, eastern England.
JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
Cambridge University Press is opening the gates of history and political thought with a newly launched free-access collection of journal articles and book chapters exploring politics and power in the classical world and beyond — all available until 30 April 2025.
Scholars, students, and curious minds can now dive into themes of political philosophy, history, imperialism, democracy, and governance — from ancient Greece and Rome to Byzantium, Egypt, and Carthage, and through to their enduring legacies in modern political theory.
The collection includes articles from prestigious journals such as The Journal of Roman Studies, The Classical Quarterly, Antiquity, Cambridge Archaeological Journal, and the new open-access platform Public Humanities.
Highlights from the featured research include:
“Feasting Patterns and Their Socio-Political Dimensions in Late Bronze Age Eastern Crete”
“Commemorating the Past and Performing Power: Parades of Ancestors on Caligula’s Coinage”
“Transplanting Kingship: Alexander’s Visit to Cyprus”
“Ancient Tyranny and Modern Dictatorship”
“Athenian Democracy and Distrust”
In addition to these journal articles, the initiative also includes select book chapters, giving users a broader lens into the interplay between ancient political structures and contemporary discourse.
The offer, part of Cambridge’s “Politics & Power” campaign under Classical Studies, presents a unique opportunity to examine how foundational societies handled issues of authority, governance, and civil society — and how those discussions still resonate today.
To explore the full collection, visit:
cambridge.org/classics-politics-and-power