Brahm Kleinman

Brahm Kleinman's research investigates provincial administration, political corruption, and interactions between rulers and and subjects in the middle to late Roman Republic and early Imperial Period. In his dissertation, Scandals and Sanctions: Holding Roman Officials Accountable (202-49 B.C.), he explored Roman concepts of accountability and the debates that emerged in Roman society over the misconduct of officials sent abroad on behalf of the senate and people of Rome. He is currently turning this dissertation into a scholarly monograph, considering Roman responses to cases of embezzlement, unsanctioned and excessive violence against subjects and allies of Rome, provincial extortion, seizure of cultural artifacts, and other offenses. This book will analyze how and why Roman elite self-fashioning, cultural practices, laws, and systems of accounting changed over the course of the Republic in response to problems arising from Roman imperialism and provincial administration. It will also consider the significant role played by slaves and freedpeople in Roman practices of accountability. At the same time, he is preparing articles for publication on a variety of topics in Greek and Roman history, from Sulla's harsh treatment of the Samnites during the civil wars of the 80s to Augustus' bribery laws to Polybius' depiction of Greek and non-Greek mercenaries in his Histories.

Brahm is passionate about teaching all aspects of the ancient Greek and Roman world, including history, material culture, language, literature, and mythology. In addition to university courses, he has worked extensively as a teacher and tutor for Classics and History classes in New Jersey correctional facilities through the Prison Teaching Initiative and continues to be an advocate for prison education and outreach.