The research in the Department of Ancient History covers the period from 1200 BC to 600 AD, with particular emphasis on the Greek and Roman cultures and states of the Mediterranean. It is characterized by source-oriented basic research (numismatics, epigraphy) as well as special consideration of recent methodological accesses. The focus is on the political cultures of Rome and Athens, on constitutional and socio-historical issues, as well as on the history of administration and religion. Regional emphases concern above all Rome and Athens, the imperial and late antique Asia Minor, Syria and Judea / Palestine.