Jeremy Swist

(He/Him)

swistjer@msu.edu
(781) 527-2863
Wells B-480

Assistant Professor

Romance and Classical Studies

Biography

Jeremy Swist earned his MA and PhD in Classics from the University of Iowa, and has previously taught classical languages, literature, and civilization at Miami University, Brandeis University, and Grand Valley State University. His research focuses upon pagan prose literature under the later Roman Empire, particularly around the Roman emperor Julian. He has also published, organized conferences, and is now teaching an IAH course on the reception of antiquity in heavy metal music.

Works

Books

Julian Augustus: Platonism, Myth, and the Refounding of Rome. Oxford University Press, 2025.

Journal Articles

“‘Wolves of the Krypteia’: Lycanthropy and Right-Wing Extremism in Metal’s Reception of Ancient Greece and Rome.” Metal Music Studies 8.3 (2022): 309-325.

“Sexual Intercourse in Celsus’ De Medicina.” Syllecta Classica 31 (2020): 65-93.

“Satan’s Empire: Ancient Rome’s Anti-Christian Appeal in Extreme Metal.” Metal Music Studies 5.1 (2019): 35-51.

“Medicine in the Thought and Action of the Emperor Julian.” International Journal of the Platonic Tradition 12.1 (2018): 13-38.

“Prosecuting Epicurus in the Emperor Julian’s Court: A Reading of Himerius’ Oration 3.” Journal of Late Antiquity 10.1 (2017): 221-249.

“Sophistry and Sorcery in Libanius’ Declamations.” Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies 57.2 (2017) 431-453.

“Pagan Altars and Monarchic Discourse in Libanius, Declamation 22,” Phoenix 70.1-2 (2016): 170-189.

Book Chapters

“Sparta and the Reception of Ancient History in Metal Music.” In J. Herbst (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Metal Music. Cambridge University Press, 2023: 99–113.

“Headbanging to Byzantium: The Reception of the Byzantine Empire in Heavy Metal Music.” In E. Alışık (ed.), İstanbul’da Bu Ne Bizantinizm! / What Byzantinism is this in Istanbul! İstanbul Araştırmaları Enstitüsü Yayınları, 2021: 200-229.

“From Romulus Conditor to Hadrianus Augustus: Livy’s Seven Kings of Rome in Florus.” In O. Devillers & B. B. Sebastiani (eds.), Sources et modèles des historiens anciens II. Scripta Antiqua 145. Ausonius Éditions, 2021: 341-355.

Videos

College of Arts & Letters News

College Welcomes New Faculty and Staff
College of Arts & Letters
August 20, 2025
The College of Arts & Letters is thrilled to welcome 28 new faculty and staff members whose diverse expertise will enrich our community, strengthen collaboration, and expand opportunities for students. New colleagues will be recognized during the 2025 Faculty and Staff […]