Dr. Todd Hickey

Biography

Todd Hickey is a historian whose research focuses on segments of ancient society that are poorly represented in elite literature, forming the foundation of his discipline, Classical Studies. He is adept in papyrology, a subspecialty devoted to the decipherment and interpretation of papyrus manuscripts, which include 'everyday' writing from the inhabitants of Egypt. With only about 200 scholars trained in this area worldwide, his research addresses topics centered on economic decision-making in ancient contexts. He investigates the factors—such as risk tolerance, environmental influences, access to information, and custom—that contributed to the choices made by individuals in ancient societies. His published work delves into the management of large agricultural estates, asserting that recent interpretations that emphasize rational profit-maximization overlook the sociocultural context of economic transactions. Recently, he has examined the impact of 'regime change' in Egyptian society, particularly how the arrival of Romans affected various groups, including the Egyptian priesthood. Contrary to the prevailing view that priests resisted external power, his findings illustrate that they played the role of guardians of indigenous traditions while also engaging with the dominant culture, thereby necessitating a nuanced interpretation informed by modern colonial theory.

Research Interests

Courses