Michael Rostovtzeff

Date of Birth: November 10, 1870

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: October 20, 1952

Biography

Michael Ivanovich Rostovtzeff was a renowned Russian historian and archaeologist, best known for his work on the social and economic history of the Roman Empire and the Hellenistic world. Born in Zhitomir, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire, Rostovtzeff’s early education was at the St. Petersburg University, where he specialized in ancient history. His academic career began in Russia, but after the Russian Revolution, he emigrated to the United States, where he continued his research and teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later Yale University. His major works include “The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire” and “A History of the Ancient World”. Rostovtzeff’s scholarship was groundbreaking, providing in-depth analysis of the economic and social structures of ancient civilizations, and his works remain influential in the field of classical studies.

5 Interesting Facts about Michael Rostovtzeff

1. Rostovtzeff fled Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution and settled in the United States.

2. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to Yale University.

3. His magnum opus, “The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire,” is still considered a seminal work in the field of ancient history.

4. Rostovtzeff was deeply interested in the archaeological aspects of ancient history and conducted several significant excavations.

5. He was a member of several prestigious academic societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Michael Rostovtzeff

1. “The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind.”

2. “The civilization of the ancient world was based on the principle of inequality.”

3. “The past is the key to understanding the present and planning the future.”

4. “Archaeology is not only the handmaid of history; it is also an independent and important method of historical research.”

5. “Every age has its own peculiarities and must be studied in its own context.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Michael Rostovtzeff’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his academic positions and publications would have provided him with a comfortable living.