In Memoriam Professor Julian Bennett (9 June 1949 – 29 January 2025)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Julian Bennett, a dear friend, esteemed colleague, and distinguished archaeologist, scholar, and educator.
Having earned his Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1991, Professor Bennett devoted his career to the study of Roman provincial and military archaeology, as well as the archaeology and architecture of Late Roman and Byzantine Anatolia. Since joining Bilkent University in 1995, he played an integral role in shaping the understanding of ancient civilizations through both his teaching and extensive research. Over nearly three decades, he taught generations of students, inspiring many with his deep knowledge, charisma, and unwavering passion for the ancient world. More than a teacher, he was a mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students, guiding many into successful careers in the study of the Roman and Late Antiquity periods. His impact on their intellectual development and professional paths is a testament to his remarkable ability to ignite curiosity and nurture scholarship.
A prolific writer, Professor Bennett authored monographs and articles on Roman and Medieval Britain and the Roman army. His highly regarded book, Trajan, Optimus Princeps (Routledge/Indiana University Press, 1997), remains a seminal work on the Roman emperor, with a second revised edition published in 2001 and translations into Romanian, Polish and most recently Italian.
Professor Bennett was also a dedicated field archaeologist, contributing to excavations in Britain, Germany, Romania, and Türkiye. His expertise and passion for uncovering the past left a lasting impact on the field. His contributions were recognized when he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 2002, and promoted to Full Professor at Bilkent University in 2024.
Professor Bennett’s legacy will live on in the many students he mentored, the colleagues he inspired, and the invaluable scholarship he leaves behind. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues at the department, the archaeological community and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.
The funerary services will be held in the United Kingdom.
May he rest in peace.
The Archaeology Department
Welcome to the Department of Archaeology at Bilkent University
Our Department of Archaeology offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate (M.A.) degrees, providing a comprehensive education in the interdisciplinary archaeology of Anatolia and western Asia.
The department’s core curriculum includes period-specific courses covering the Palaeolithic through Medieval periods, and combines them with specialist classes on archaeological theory, digital humanities, materials studies, fieldwork methodologies and public archaeology. Our team of specialists, who are all active researchers, help students explore the material remains of the many peoples that have populated and passed through this dynamic geography, providing a stimulating insight into how we continue to learn about and interpret the past.
Students are offered hands-on experience through fieldwork internships and lab-based studies, and our comprehensive approach to archaeology and its complementary disciplines in the humanities, social and natural sciences ensures that our graduates are well prepared for the world of modern archaeological practice.
Small class sizes offer students a warm sense of community, an ideal environment for learning and self-development.
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