Overview
Background
Kit Morrell is a Roman historian specialising in the history, law, and politics of the late Roman republic (the age of Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Cicero). Her current research focuses on the idea and practice of reform in the Roman republic.
Kit joined the University of Queensland in July 2020 as Susan Blake Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History. She has held previous positions as ARC DECRA fellow at the University of Melbourne and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, investigating the impact of the Augustan marriage legislation on Roman women’s legal and property rights as part of the OIKOS Anchoring Innovation project. She has also taught at the University of Sydney, where she completed her PhD in 2014.
Kit’s publications include a monograph, Pompey, Cato, and the Governance of the Roman Empire, published by Oxford University Press in 2017, and The Alternative Augustan Age (OUP, 2019), co-edited with Josiah Osgood and Kathryn Welch. She is currently working on a monograph based on her DECRA project, 'Reforming the Roman Republic', and a coedited volume on The Rule of Law in Ancient Rome (to be published by OUP).
Kit’s research interests reflect her training in both ancient history and law. Her research expertise includes Roman republican history and politics (especially the late republic); Roman law; Roman women; ethics and exemplarity in the Roman world; and ancient historiography of the republic and early empire. She is happy to discuss potential Honours and postgraduate supervision on these and related topics.
Availability
- Dr Kit Morrell is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
- Bachelor (Honours) of Law, University of Sydney
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, University of Sydney
Research interests
-
The Roman republic
The Roman republic, especially the history, politics, and law of the late Roman republic, including key historical figures such as Pompey the Great, Cato the Younger, Cicero, and Julius Caesar.
-
Roman law
Especially public law in the Roman republic; the extortion law and related measures; tutela mulierum (guardianship of women) and Roman women's property rights; reform programmes; the physical media of Roman statutes.
-
Reform in the Roman republic
The idea and practice of 'reform' in the Roman republic, including reform programmes; attempts at systemic reform; the Roman discourse of reform; non-legislative reform strategies including exemplarity and role-modelling.
-
Roman women
Roman women, especially in the late republican, Augustan, and early imperial periods; women and politics in ancient Rome; Roman women's property rights; the Augustan marriage laws; guardianship.
-
The rule of law in ancient Rome
The potential applicability of modern ideas of 'the rule of law' to ancient Rome, especially in the republican and triumviral periods.
-
Imperialism and provincial governance in the Roman republic
Including Roman ideas of good governance; Roman imperialism in ancient historiography; attempts to improve provincial administration; legislation; exemplarity.
-
Ancient historiography
Ancient writers about Rome (Latin and Greek), especially historiographical engagement with Roman imperialism; representations of reform; the writings of Cicero.
Works
Search Professor Kit Morrell’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
Cato and the courts in 54 B.C
Morrell, Kit (2014). Cato and the courts in 54 B.C. Classical Quarterly, 64 (2), 669-681. doi: 10.1017/s0009838814000299
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kit Morrell is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
The Connection Between Animals and Malefic Magic in the Ancient Roman World
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Annabel Florence
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Wood in Shaping Social and Cultural Experiences in Roman Domestic Spaces
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janette McWilliam
-
Master Philosophy
Defacement or Dialogue? Ancient Roman Perceptions of Graffiti
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janette McWilliam
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Traditional and the Unconventional: Unique Expressions of Maternal Power by the Empresses Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janette McWilliam
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Families of the Frontier: The Role of Women and Children in Roman Military Communities on Hadrian's Wall
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janette McWilliam
-
2023
Master Philosophy
Caesar's Egypt: The Alexandrian War and the Coming of Empire
Associate Advisor
-
2023
Master Philosophy
Cosmetics, Status, and Personal Identity: Examining Appearance in the Roman Imperial Period
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janette McWilliam
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Kit Morrell directly for media enquiries about:
- Ancient history
- Ancient Rome
- Augustus
- Cicero
- Julius Caesar
- Reform in Rome
- Roman history
- Roman women
- The Roman empire
- The Roman republic
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: