Dr. Ambra Spinelli is a classical archaeologist and art historian who received a B.A. in Classics and a M.A. in Archaeology from the Universit脿 di Bologna, and a Ph.D. in Art History (with a specialization in Classical Art & Archaeology) from the University of Southern California. Her听scholarship integrates the analysis of artifacts, architecture, decorative and textual evidence to explore ancient Roman domestic and everyday life. Her interests also encompass the influence of Eastern and Italic rituals on Roman soil, and Roman perceptions and adaptations of earlier traditions. At AUR, she teaches courses in Roman art and archaeology as well as Greek and Roman history and religion.
Professor Spinelli participated in various archaeological excavation projects in Italy and, from 2011 to 2020, she served as Head of Archival Research and Assistant to the Director for the University of Cincinnati鈥檚 鈥淧ompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia.鈥� She also has several years of museum and archaeological research experience in Etruscan, Roman, and medieval sites, including Marzabotto, Bologna, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples, Rome, Acquaviva Picena, and Albinia (Grosseto).
Selected Publications (Peer-Reviewed):
Books:听
- Current Book Project (under contract with De Gruyter):听Why Objects Matter: Studies in Greek and Roman Art & Materiality from Antiquity to the Present. Co-author.听
- Artistry in Bronze: The Greeks and Their Legacy. XIXth International Congress on Ancient Bronzes听(2017).听The J. Paul Getty Museum.听Co-author.听
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Articles and Book Chapters:听
- 鈥淪pectacle and Society. Theater and Paintings in Vesuvian Tablina,鈥� in听Why Objects Matter:听Studies in Greek听and Roman Art & Materiality from Antiquity to the Present.听(Current book听project under contract听with De听Gruyter).听听
- 鈥淭he History of Excavation and Research Activity in Insulae VIII.7 and I.1,鈥� in听The Porta听Stabia听Neighborhood at听Pompeii. Vol. 1:听Structure, Stratigraphy, and Space听(2023).听Oxford University听Press, 42-59.听Co-author.听
- 鈥淭he Ritual Contexts in Insulae VIII.7 and I.1,鈥� in听The Porta Stabia Neighborhood at Pompeii. Vol.听1:听Structure, Stratigraphy, and Space听(2023).听Oxford University Press, 429-434. Co-author.听
- 鈥淏eyond Social and Functional Interpretations of Wall Paintings: Mythological Imagery in the Tablinum of Pompeii and Herculaneum.鈥澨�Journal of Roman Archaeology, Vol. 35.1 (Jul. 2022), 177鈥�193.听
- 鈥淭he 鈥楪etty Cybele鈥�: A Roman Portrait of Feminine Virtues.鈥澨�American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 121.3 (Jul. 2017), 369鈥�396.听
- 鈥淯nderwater Archaeology in Italy: The Park of Baia (Naples),鈥� in听SOMA 2007: Proceedings of the XI Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology, Istanbul Technical University (2007). Oxford Archaeopress, 358鈥�361.听
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Book Reviews:听
- 鈥淓xcavating the Archives: The Domus M. Lucretii IX 3, 5.24 at Pompeii.鈥� Review of R. Berg and I. Kuivalainen (eds.),听Domus Pompeiana M. Lucretii IX 3, 5.24. The Inscriptions, Works of Art and Finds from the Old and New Excavations听(2019), in听Journal of Roman Archaeology,听Vol. 34.2 (Dec. 2021),听883鈥�888.听
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Catalogue Essays and Entries:听
- 鈥淪pinario Castellani鈥� and 鈥淗ermes from Saponara,鈥� in听Power and Pathos: Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World听(2015). The J. Paul Getty Museum, 216, 306; and in the Italian catalogue听Potere e Pathos. Bronzi del Mondo Ellenistico听(2015). Giunti Editore, 216, 306.听
- 鈥淐omic Figurine of a Slave Seated on an Altar鈥� and 鈥淩ed-Figured Bell听Krater听with听Phlyax听Scene,鈥� in听The Art of Ancient Greek Theater听(2010). The J. Paul Getty Museum, 119, 142.听