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S. Douglas Olson

Photo of S. Douglas Olson

Contact Me

sdolson@umn.edu
612-625-0513

Classical & Near Eastern Studies
245 Nich Hall

216 Pillsbury Dr SE

Affiliations

I am interested in Greek literature of all genres and periods, but in particular in Attic Comedy and its reception in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. My current projects include a commentary on the unassigned fragments of the comic poet Cratinus (with Ryan Seaberg) and a full critical edition of the Learned Banqueters (or Deipnosophists) of Athenaeus of Naucratis (my main focus at the Helsinki Collegium). I am associated with the Heidelberg Academy/University of Freiburg Kommentierung der Fragmente der griechischen Komödie Project, and have recently completed a three-volume edition of the fragments of the late 5th-century comic poet Eupolis, as well as a full critical edition and commentary on Aristophanes' Wasps (with Zachary Biles). I am also the General Editor of the English-language edition of the Basel Homer Commentary.

Educational Background & Specialties

Educational Background

  • Ph.D.: Bryn Mawr College, 1987.
  • American School of Classical Studies in Athens, 1985-87.
  • M.A.: Bryn Mawr College, 1984.
  • M.T.S.: Harvard Divinity School, 1982.
  • B.A.: Haverford College, 1980.

Curriculum Vitae

Specialties

  • Greek comedy
  • Critical editions and commentaries
  • Roman reception of Greek texts
Research & Professional Activities

Professional Activities

  • Scientific Board, Heidelberg Academy Comic Fragments Project: 2011-present
  • APA Research Committee: 2011 - 2015
  • Editorial Board, The Classical Journal : 2010 - present
  • CAMWS Finance Committee: 2010 - 2013
  • Editor, The Classical Journal: 2005 - 2010
  • CAMWS Executive Committee: 2005 - 2010
  • Chairman, Pearson Fellowship Committee, APA: 1999 - 2003
  • Managing Committee, American School of Classical Studies in Athens: 2000 - present
  • Director Graduate Studies, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies, University of Minnesota:
Publications
  • Eupolis frr. 147–325, Heilôtes—Chrysoun genos: Translation and Commentary . Olson, S. Douglas, Verlag Antike for the Heidelberg Academy, Author, 2016.
  • Eupolis frr. 1–146, Aiges—Dêmoi: Translation and Commentary. Olson, S. Douglas, Verlag Antike for the Heidelberg Academy, Author, 2017.
  • Aristophanes: Wasps . Olson, S. Douglas, Zachary Biles, Oxford University Press, Author, 2015.
  • Eupolis frr. 326–497: Translation and Commentary . Olson, S. Douglas, Verlag Antike for the Heidelberg Academy, Author, 2014.
  • Ancient Comedy and Reception. Studies in Honor of Jeffrey Henderson. Olson, S. Douglas, Walter de Gruyter, Editor, 2014.
  • Inscriptional Records for the Dramatic Festivals in Athens: IG II2 2318–2325 and Related Texts. Olson, S. Douglas, Benjamin Millis, Brill, Co-Author, 2012.
  • The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite and Related Texts . Olson, S. Douglas, De Gruyter, Author, 2012.
  • Polybius VI: The Unattributed Fragments (Loeb Classical Library). Olson, S. Douglas, Frank Walbank and Christian Habicht, Harvard University Press, Co-Author, 2012.
  • Broken Laughter: Select Fragments of Greek Comedy (Oxford University Press, 2007) Image
  • Athenaeus: The Learned Banqueters (Loeb Classical Library;8 vols.). Olson, S. Douglas, Harvard University Press, Author, 2006-2013.
  • Aristophanes: Thesmophoriazusae (with Colin Austin) (Oxford University Press, 2004) cvi + 363 pp. Image
  • Aristophanes: Acharnians (Oxford, 2002; revised paperback version Oxford, 2004) cii + 379 pp Image
  • Archestratos of Gela: Greek Culture and Cuisine in the Fourth Century BCE. Olson, S. Douglas, with Alexander Sens, Oxford University Press, Co-Author, 2000. Image
  • Matro of Pitane and the Tradition of Epic Parody in the Fourth Century BCE. Olson, S. Douglas, with Alexander Sens, American Classical Studies 44, Atlanta, Co-Author, 1999.
  • Aristophanes: Peace. Olson, S. Douglas, Oxford University Press, Author, 1998. Image
  • Blood and Iron: Stories and Storytelling in Homer's Odyssey. Olson, S. Douglas, Mnemosyne Supplement 148, Leiden, Author, 1995.
Awards
  • Scholar of the College, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Minnesota, 2017 - 2020
  • Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Bari , May 2017
  • Core Fellow, Helsinki Collegium, Sept. 2016 - Aug. 2017
  • Senior Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, and Marie Curie Fellow of the European Union, December 2015 - August 2016
  • Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Bari , May 2016
  • Humboldt Research Grant, 2015
  • Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Bari, April 2015
  • Research Fellowship, Heidelberg Academy, 2014
  • CAMWS Ovatio (life-time service award), 2013
  • Alexander von Humboldt Research Award, 2011 - 2012
  • National Humanities Center, Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Fellowship, 2008 - 2009
  • Distinguished McKnight University Professorship, 2004
  • Loeb Classical Library Foundation Grant, 2003 - 2004
  • National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship, 2003 - 2004
  • National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship, 2000 - 2001
  • Helen Corley Petit Professorship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1996 - 1997
  • University Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1996 - 1999
  • Junior Fellow, Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington D.C., 1994 - 1995
  • Outstanding Faculty Member (Certificate of Merit), Illini Dads Association, 1993
  • LAS College Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 1993
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta Outstanding Teacher Award , 1992
  • Whiting Fellowship in the Humanities, 1986 - 1987
  • James Rignall Wheeler Fellow, American School of Classical Studies in Athens, 1985 - 1986