About
Hans-Joachim Gehrke studied history, classical philology, philosophy, and education in Göttingen from 1967 to 1973. After earning his doctorate in 1973, he worked as a research assistant there until 1982, when he qualified as a professor. He then held professorships in Würzburg (1982–1984), at the Free University of Berlin (1984–1987), and in Freiburg (1987–2008). Following his tenure as President of the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin (2008–2011), he returned to Freiburg as a Professor Emeritus at the Department of Ancient History and Director of Outreach at University College Freiburg. He has also held honorary and visiting professorships at Humboldt University of Berlin, the Universities of Perugia and Zurich, and the Collège de France.
Hans-Joachim Gehrke is a member of several esteemed academies, including the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Academia Europaea, the National Academy of Sciences ‘Leopoldina,’ and the Academy of Athens. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from the Universities of Baghdad, Cologne, and Athens, as well as the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon, the University Medal of the University of Freiburg, and the Ausonius Prize of the University of Trier.
Research
His research focusses primarily on Greek history, particularly the Archaic and Hellenistic periods. Thematically, he is especially interested in social conflict and integration, political theory, concepts of the past, and the spatial organisation of the ancient world, along with the reception of these ideas in modern times.
Publications
Selection of publications
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Stasis. Untersuchungen zu den inneren Kriegen in den griechischen Staaten des 5. und 4. Jahrhunderts v. Chr., Munich 1985.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Jenseits von Athen und Sparta. Das Dritte Griechenland und seine Staatenwelt, Munich 1986.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Geschichte des Hellenismus, Munich 42008.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Alexander der Große, Munich 72023.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Kleine Geschichte der Antike, Munich 1999.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Geschichte als Element antiker Kultur. Die Griechen und ihre Geschichte(n), Berlin 2014.
- Gehrke, H.-J.: Bürgerkriege und Epheben. Prinzipien und Praktiken bürgerlicher Sozialisation im antiken Griechenland, Stuttgart 2024.
Teaching
In his teaching, Hans-Joachim Gehrke has always covered both Greek and Roman history. As a Professor Emeritus, he remains actively engaged, delivering comprehensive lectures in these fields.