Dr. Edward Watts

Biography

Professor Edward Watts received his BAs in Classics and Ancient Medieval Culture from Brown University and earned his PhD in History from Yale University in 2002. His research interests focus on the intellectual, political, and religious history of the Roman Empire and the early Byzantine Empire. He is the author of seven books and has edited five, including 'The Final Pagan Generation' (UC Press, 2015) and 'The Mortal Republic: How Rome Fell into Tyranny' (Basic Books, 2018). His narrative history explores the centuries of the Roman Republic, culminating in 'Eternal Decline and Fall of Rome: History's Dangerous Idea' (Oxford University Press, 2021). His recent book, 'Romans: A 2000 Year History' (Basic Books, 2025), traces the history of the Roman state from the 8th century BC to 1204 AD. Watts's work has been featured in various outlets, including Time, Vox, Smithsonian, Economist, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and British Museum Magazine. He joined UCSD in 2012 after teaching for ten years at Indiana University and teaches courses on Byzantine History, Roman History, Late Antique Christianity, Roman numismatics, and the history of the Medieval Mediterranean.

Research Interests

Experience