Dr. Sarah Levin Richardson

Biography

Sarah Levin-Richardson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Washington. She holds a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from Stanford University, awarded in 2009, and a M.A. in Classical Studies from the same institution, completed in 2006. Additionally, she has a B.A. in Classical Archaeology and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, obtained in 2003. Her research explores the intersection of Roman material culture—art, architecture, archaeological finds, and inscribed texts—with social history. She is particularly interested in gender and sexuality in antiquity, with a focus on Roman art and archaeology, the social functions of Pompeian graffiti, and the experiences of marginalized groups such as enslaved individuals and sex workers. Her recent publication, 'Brothel Pompeii: Sex, Class, and Gender in the Margins of Roman Society' (Cambridge 2019), investigates the environment of Pompeii’s brothels and the roles of prostitutes as social and sexual agents. Currently, she is working on a monograph titled 'Roman Slavery and Emotional Labor' that examines the affective states of various groups within the context of Roman slavery. Levin-Richardson has also served as co-chair of the Lambda Classical Caucus and the Women’s Classical Caucus.

Research Interests