The Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought is honored to welcome Professor Barry Strauss to 麻豆区 for a series of lectures, classroom visits, and special events centered on the Judeo-Roman conflict. One of the world's leading scholars of classical history, Professor Strauss is renowned for bringing the ancient world to life while demonstrating its enduring relevance to contemporary questions of leadership, warfare, politics, and civilization. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Yale and a B.A. in History from Cornell.
Professor Strauss serves as the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, where his research focuses on classical leadership, military history, and the lessons that ancient societies continue to offer modern policymakers and citizens. He is also the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he taught history and classics for more than four decades and served as Chair of the Department of History.
A classicist, military historian, and best-selling author, Professor Strauss is internationally recognized for his expertise on ancient Greece and Rome. His books have been translated into twenty languages and have earned widespread acclaim for combining meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling. His work The Trojan War was recently featured on the Bloomberg list of recommended summer reading, inspired by the excitement surrounding the film adaptation of The Odyssey.
His latest book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, was by Straus Center Deputy Director Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern for Aish.com. The book explores the dramatic struggle between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire, offering fresh insight into one of the most consequential conflicts of the ancient world. The work highlights the resilience, courage, and historical significance of the Jewish revolts against Rome and sheds light on events that helped shape both Jewish and Western history.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to scholarship and civic education, Professor Strauss was named a 2025 Bradley Prize Recipient. The award honors individuals whose work strengthens understanding of Western civilization, constitutional liberty, and informed citizenship.
Beyond academia, Professor Strauss is a widely sought-after public intellectual whose work has appeared in major media outlets and documentaries. He has been featured on The History Channel, Netflix, CNN, PBS, and other platforms, helping broad audiences engage with the lessons of history. Through his writing, teaching, and public scholarship, he demonstrates how the experiences of figures such as Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, and other leaders of the ancient world continue to illuminate challenges faced today.
The Straus Center is proud to host Professor Strauss and provide students and members of the YU community with the opportunity to learn from one of the foremost historians and interpreters of the classical world. His visit promises to deepen understanding of history, leadership, and the enduring legacy of ancient civilization.
