This is an invitation to present at or attend the first SPECS online mini-conference, that will take place on the afternoon of 27th May 2026. The purpose of the mini-conference is to give early career researchers an opportunity to showcase their work in a supportive environment and to receive feedback from attendees and an invited expert in the field.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the hugely influential volume Sparta and War, edited by Stephen Hodkinson and Anton Powell and published by the Classical Press of Wales. In celebration of this landmark, the theme for the mini-conference is Sparta and the Peloponnese at War. Professor Hans van Wees (UCL) has kindly agreed to act as the expert respondent at this event, and we welcome the attendance and feedback from other scholars at all career stages.
If you are interested in speaking, please complete the attached form (see link below) by Monday 27th April 2026. Presentations should all be 20-minutes in length and may address any aspect of ancient warfare in any region of the Peloponnese.
Form link: https://forms.gle/GDJpg3GjziGUY6KZ8
SPECS is a new global network seeking to bring together early career scholars studying any aspect of the history, archaeology, or reception of Sparta and the Peloponnese in any period (SPECS is an acronym for Sparta and Peloponnese Early Career Scholars). SPECS is a new initiative of the Centre for Spartan and Peloponnesian Studies, based at the University of Nottingham. The network has already launched a new webinar series, Being Peloponnesian, and has plans for more events and activities in the near future.
If you would like to know more about our activities, to join or mailing list, or to learn about getting involved with the new SPECS network, please email matt.thompson1@nottingham.ac.uk
Note: this is not a Classical Association event – please contact the organisers directly with any enquiries.