John Lee

John W.I. Lee is a Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).12 His research focuses on the history of ancient West Asia, particularly the Greek and Achaemenid worlds from around 650-330 BC.2

Academic Background and Expertise

Professor Lee grew up in Asia and Hawaii, studied history at the University of Washington in Seattle, and received his PhD in History from Cornell University.1 His areas of expertise include:

• Ancient Greek and Persian history
• War, society, and culture in the Achaemenid Empire
• Receptions and interpretations of antiquity in the United States, especially among African American classical scholars

Teaching and Research

At UCSB, Lee teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in ancient history, world history, and the history of warfare.2 He has also led archaeological field schools and travel-study programs in Greece and Turkey.2

Notable Works

Professor Lee has authored several significant publications:

• "A Greek Army on the March: Soldiers and Survival in Xenophon's Anabasis" (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
• "The Persian Empire" (The Great Courses, 2012)
• "The First Black Archaeologist: A Life of John Wesley Gilbert" (Oxford University Press, 2022)13

Professional Activities

Lee is actively involved in various professional organizations:

• Member of the Managing Committee of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens
• Member of the Archaeological Institute of America
• Member of the UCSB Iranian Studies Initiative24

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Lee has received several honors:

• Harold J. Plous Award, UCSB (2005-2006)
• Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award, UCSB (2003-2004)
• Peace Studies Program Fellow, Cornell University (1998)
• James Rignall Wheeler Fellow, American School of Classical Studies at Athens (1996-1997)2

Professor Lee's work extends beyond academia, as he has also made media appearances and contributed to public history discussions on topics related to ancient history and archaeology.2