Max Nelson earned his BA in Classical Civilization at the University of Windsor and went on to complete his MA at the University of Ottawa and his PhD at the University of British Columbia with a Killam Fellowship. After a SSHRC postdoctorate at the University of Michigan he returned to teach at his alma mater the University of Windsor in 2001 where he is currently Associate Professor.
Nelson's teaching specialty is
- Roman Civilization and History
- Latin
- The Classical Tradition
- Leisure and Pleasure in the Ancient World
- Gladiators
- The Ancient World on the Screen
- Magic in the Ancient World
Nelson researches various aspects of ancient social history, particularly the history of pleasure (food, drink, sex, and games). His book The Barbarian's Beverage: A History of Beer in Ancient Europe was put out by Routledge in 2005 and he has since published further articles on the geography of beer, the use of beer in medicine, and monastic brewing. Recent publications include "Battling on Boards: The Ancient Greek War Games of Ship-Battle (Naumachia) and City-State (Polis)" and "An Unnoticed Gladiatorial Pun in Suetonius".
For publications, please see https://uwindsor.academia.edu/MaxNelson.
"A brief history of flipping the bird: From ancient Greece, to Pierre Trudeau, to one Toronto police officer", Article in the Toronto Star, Sun. Aug. 11, 2024.
"Ancient ideals of moderation extended to alcohol: researcher", Article in The Daily News, Thurs. Mar. 14, 2024.
"The Middle Finger is the Most Controversial Digit. Thank the Ancient Greeks for that", Article in CNN Online, Mon. Jan. 22, 2024.
"Historian says modern gamers can thank ancient Greeks", Article in The Daily News, Mon. Oct. 19, 2020.
"Cheers to the Barbarians", Article in The Daily News, Thurs. Sept. 28, 2017.
"Barbarians and Brews", Article in the Windsor Star, Thurs. Sept. 21, 2017.
"Pompeii's People", Interview on Pompeii.
"Professor helps re-discover lost Egyptian papyri", Article in The Daily News, Mon. Jul 13, 2015.
"Researcher traces history of brewing beer in ancient Europe", Article in The Daily News, Wed. Apr 9, 2014.
"A Taste For Scholarship and Beer", Article in The Star, Sat. Jan 27, 2007.