Caitlan Smith

Instructor of Art History

Education

• MPhil in Ancient History, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK
• MSc in the Hellenistic World, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
• BA in Art History, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
• BFA in Drawing, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas

Research Interests

• Material Culture
• Representations of the body
• Ancient Greek Athletes
• Ancient Sports History
• Hellenistic Period
• Classical Reception

Biography

A Houston native, Smith double majored in Art History and Drawing at Texas State University. Her thesis focused on The Terme Boxer, a bronze sculpture from the Hellenistic period and began Smith’s long interest in the ancient Greek world, material culture, and sports history. Simultaneously and in line with her research interests, Smith’s studio art exhibition also focused on the genealogy of Greek mythology. Smith went on to study the Hellenistic World doing a taught Masters at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland before pursuing a Master of Philosophy by research at the University of St. Andrews, also in Scotland. Both of her dissertations for her master’s degrees examined artistic representations of the ancient Greek athlete and the experience of the ancient athlete by examining ancient evidence through the lens of modern sports science. Smith conducted her doctoral studies at the University of Western Australia, Perth. Her doctoral dissertation examines the inherent violence in ancient Greek combat sports and seeks to understand how athletic violence was represented and perceived in ancient Greek society.

Though Smith’s academic research focuses on the ancient world, she is very interested in the wider world of art history and its impact on society. Smith has further research interests in the reception of classical material in contemporary society. One of her published articles is on the popularity of the webcomic, Lore Olympus, a modern adaptation of the myth of Hades and Persephone.