Johannes Lipps studied Classical Archaeology (main subject), Ancient History, Papyrology, Epigraphy and Numismatics of the Ancient World at the Universities of Marburg (2000–2002), Rome (2002–2003), Cologne and Bonn (2003–2006). After completing his dissertation “The Basilica Aemilia on the Forum Romanum. The Imperial structure and its architectural decoration” at Cologne in 2008, he received the “Reisestipendium” from the German Archaeological Institute and traveled to large parts of North Africa and the Near East. This was followed by postdoctoral positions in Rome and Munich. He was a Junior Professor for Classical Archaeology in Tübingen and, since 2019, he is a University Professor of Classical Archaeology at Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz.
His research focuses on ancient architecture, sculpture and urbanism in Rome, Pompeii and the northwestern Roman provinces. He has conducted excavations and surveys in Pompeii and Tunisia, as well as research projects at the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and the Vatican.

Academic career

  • 2021-2023
    Head of the Institute for Ancient Studies, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
  • since Nov 2019
    University Professor at the Department for Classical Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
  • Jul 2018
    Positive evaluation as Juniorprofessor based on research: „Der oecus tetrastylus aus dem sog. Augustushaus auf dem Palatin im Kontext antiker Deckenverzierung”
  • 2014–2019
    Junior Professor at the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen
  • 2009–2014
    Akademischer Rat at the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
  • Jan–Mar 2009
    Postdoctoral Researcher at the German Archeological Institute at Rome
  • Apr 2006–Jul 2008
    PhD at the Institute for Classical Archaeology, University of Cologne
    “The Basilica Aemilia on the Forum Romanum. The Imperial structure and its architectural decoration”, supervised by Henner von Hesberg


  • Okt 2000–Mär 2006
    Master’s degree (‘Magister Artium’) in Classical Archaeology (main subject), Ancient History, Papyrology, Epigraphy and Numismatics of the Ancient World at the Universities of Marburg (2000–2002), Rome (2002–2003) and Cologne (2003–2006)
  • 1999–2000
    “Friedensdienst im Ausland“ with the Badische Landeskirche at the cultural center of the Waldenserkirche in Torre Pellice (Piemont) / Italien
  • 1980
    Born in Heidelberg
  • Spring 2024
    Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Departments of Classical Studies and Art History, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • 2019–2024
    “Perception, conceptualization and coping with challenges in the Roman city” Fellowship at the Gutenberg Research College, JGU Mainz
  • Spring 2016
    Senior Researcher at the Excellence Cluster 264 TOPOI, FU Berlin
  • Spring 2012
    Junior Researcher in Residence at the Center for Advanced Studies, LMU Munich
  • 2009–2010
    Reisestipendium of the German Archaeological Institute Berlin, study tour of the Mediterranean
  • 2008
    Postdoc Fellow of the Fritz Thyssen Foundation at the German Archaeological Institute Rome
  • 2007–2008
    PhD Scholarship of the Gerda Henkel Foundation at the German Archaeological Institute Rome
  • 2006–2007
    DAAD-Doctoral Scholarship at the German Archaeological Institute Rome

Contributions to the academic self-administration

  • since 2024
    Member of the examination board for „Altertumswissenschaften“ FB07 at the JGU Mainz
  • since 2022
    Advisor to Mainz University Press
  • 2021-2024
    Executive Director (2021–2023) and Deputy Executive Director (2023–2024) of the Institute of Classical Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
  • since 2020
    Advisor to the “Gutenberg International Conference Centre” (GICC) for the ‘Mainz Ancient Studies’ programme at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
  • since 2019
    Member of the Committee for the Advancement and Funding of Studies, Postgraduate Studies and Research in Department 07 at JGU Mainz
  • 2014–2019
    Head of the Institute and Co-Director of the Library and Collections at the Institute of Classical Archaeology, EKU Tübingen
  • 2009–2014
    Head of the library, slide library and Erasmus programme, as well as the student advisor at the Institute of Classical Archaeology at LMU Munich
  • seit 2024
    PI im Minigraduiertenkolleg „Fremd(e) in der Stadt” an der JGU Mainz
  • since 2023
    Head of the academy-project „Disiecta Membra“
  • since 2019
    PI of two sub-projects in the SFB 1391 ,Andere Ästhetik´ (Tübingen)
  • since 2019
    PI in the Platform „Frühe Neuzeit“ (Mainz)
  • since 2019
    Member of the Executive Board and PI, and since 2020 Head of Thematic Area 3 ‘Urbane Verdichtung’ within the ‘Challenges’ research cluster (Mainz)
  • since 2019
    on the steering committee of the Rhine-Main Archaeology Network (VARM)
  • 2015–2021
    Member of the Executive Board, the Strategy Committee and the Project Group (PI) of the SFB 1070 “Resource Cultures” (Tübingen)

Memberships in non-university Committees

  • since 2024
    Member of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz
  • since 2020
    Corresponding Member of the DAI, Berlin Headquarters
  • since 2024
    The Journal of Ancient Architecture
  • since 2023
    Foro Romano e Palatino, Scavi e Ricerche
  • since 2021
    Römische Mitteilungen of the DAI
  • since 2021
    Evaluation Committee of Research Projects of the Sapienza University of Rome, Area E
  • since 2019
    Conference on Provincial Roman Art
  • 2019-2023
    Publication series of the SFB 1391 ,Andere Ästhetik´
  • since 2018
    Römerstadt Cambodunum
  • since 2017
    European Journal of Roman Architecture in Cordoba
  • since 2016
    Jahrbuch des RGZM in Mainz

Individual projects

Alongside the German-Tunisian excavations led by Stefan Ritter and Sami Ben Tahar, archaeologists from the Universities of Mainz and Tübingen, building researchers from the Technical University of Berlin and geologists from the University of Bochum carried out an architectural and sculptural survey in Meninx between 2017 and 2019.

The aim of the research was to gain insights into the original layout and sculptural decoration of the ancient city by examining the architectural elements visible above ground within the ancient urban area, as well as the unpublished architectural components and sculptures from Meninx housed at the Bordj el Ghazi Mustapha in Houmt Souk. After all, even decontextualised finds allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the minimum number, size, opulence and functions of ancient buildings and their furnishings. Furthermore, a stylistic analysis offers the opportunity to date the buildings and sculptures, as well as to shed light on workshop-related issues and the associated communication networks within the Roman Empire. Finally, the monuments identified through the documentation of architectural elements are to be compared with the results obtained from geophysical surveys and excavations. On this basis, the aim is to determine the architectural-historical significance of Meninx against the backdrop of its location between the Tunisian hinterland and the rest of the Mediterranean world.

Employees

Prof. Dr. Johannes Lipps (Project lead)

cooperations

  • INP (Tunisia) (Sami Ben Tahar)
  • LMU München (Stefan Ritter)
  • Universität Tübingen (Martin Kovacs)
  • Universität Bochum (Vilma Ruppiene)
  • TU Berlin (Katharina Sahm)

Financing

Since 2017 supported by the SFB 1070

Published works to date

Arndt, Robert C. / Stoeßel, L. / Gabler, Lena / Aoudi, Mekki: Trench 4 – Early Punic Occupation and Roman Forum, in: Stefan Ritter / Sami Ben Tahar (Hgg.): Studies on the Urban History of Meninx (Djerba). The Meninx Archaeological Project 2015–2019, Wiesbaden 2022 (Archäologische Forschungen 43), S. 93–104.

Kovacs, M. / Lipps, J.: Fragmentierte Skulptur: ein monumentaler Kopf des Serapis vom antiken Forum, in: Stefan Ritter / Sami Ben Tahar (Hgg.): Studies on the urban history of Meninx (Djerba). The Meninx Archaeological Project 2015–2019, Wiesbaden 2022 (Archäologische Forschungen 43), S. 266–270.

Lipps, J.: Looking over the builders’ work: foreign architects, artisans, and marble at Meninx (Djerba), in: Lybian Studies 53 (2022), S. 1–12.

Lipps, J.: Architekturhistorische Untersuchungen in Meninx: Die Bauteile im Pavillon, in: Stefan Ritter / Sami Ben Tahar (Hgg.): Studies on the urban history of Meninx (Djerba). The Meninx Archaeological Project 2015–2019, Wiesbaden 2022 (Archäologische Forschungen 43), S. 183–192.

Stoeßel, L.: Schnitt 6 – Die Forumsbasilika, in: Stefan Ritter / Sami Ben Tahar (Hgg.): Studies on the Urban History of Meninx (Djerba). The Meninx Archaeological Project 2015–2019, Wiesbaden 2022 (Archäologische Forschungen 43), S. 116–126.

contributions to: S. Ritter – S. Ben Tahar (Ed.), Studies on the Urban Historyof Meninx (Djerba): The Meninx Archaeological Project 2015–2019, Archäologische Forschungen 43 (Wiesbaden 2022)

J. Lipps, Looking over the builders’ work: foreign architects, artisans, and marble at Meninx (Djerba), Lybian Studies 53, 2022, 1–12

Stoeßel, L.: Adaption and Autonomy in the Architecture of Roman North Africa. The Basilica of Meninx, a Case Study, in: Antonio Dell’Acqua / Orit Peleg-Barkat (Hgg.): The Basilica in Roman Palestine. Adoption and Adaption Processes, in Light of Comparanda in Italy and North Africa, Rom 2021, S. 241–264.

The Forum of Pompeii has been a central focus of classical archaeological research for around 200 years. The abundance and excellent state of preservation of the monuments, as well as our understanding of numerous historical contexts, make the site particularly attractive to archaeologists. However, the long and disparate history of research, with its many unpublished excavations, leads to fundamental questions regarding the history of the square and, consequently, the history of the city remain unresolved to this day.

A project based at the University of Augsburg since 2003, led by Valentin Kockel, therefore set itself the aim of re-examining the long history of research into the Forum square and its surrounding buildings to the south, systematically documenting the supposedly well-known site for the first time using photogrammetry and architectural surveys. From 2007 onwards, the work was supplemented by selective soundings in the southern part of the Forum, which primarily helped to thoroughly document and better understand Amedeo Maiuri’s earlier excavations. Furthermore, the extension of the trenches enabled the recovery of stratified finds for the first time, allowing the architectural development in this area of the Forum to be outlined chronologically on a sound foundation.

This is followed up by a subsequent project, now based at the Universities of Kiel and Mainz, in terms of both content and methodology as well as personnel. The starting point for this project is aims to adress the problems and questions that arose during the research carried out in Augsburg. The focus is on the so-called Comitium, which was investigated geophysically in 2015 and partially excavated between 2017 and 2019. This led to a new reconstruction and dating of the structure, with implications for our understanding of the development of the Forum as a whole.

The team

Prof. Dr. Johannes Lipps (Project lead)

Dr. Manuel Flecker (Project lead)

cooperations

Soprintendenza di Pompei (Massimo Osanna und Francesco Muscolino)

University of Kiel (Manuel Flecker)

Financing

since 2015 supported by the “Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften”

Publications

M. Flecker – J. Lipps – M. Broisch, Geophysikalische Untersuchungen im sog. Comitium am Forum von Pompeji, Kölner und Bonner Archaeologica 5, 2015, 153–165

Die Berichte bei Fasto online: http://www.fastionline.org/excavation/micro_view.php?item_key=fst_cd&fst_cd=AIAC_4627

V. Kockel – M. Flecker, Pompeji – Forum. Vorbericht über die Ausgrabungen der Universität Augsburg 2007/2008, RM 114, 2008, 271–303

The Museo Gregoriano Profano houses around 1,000 Roman architectural fragments. Their scholarly significance lies, on the one hand, in their often exceptional quality, and – in particular – in the fact that some of them can be attributed to known contexts in Rome, Ostia and Tivoli. Despite their scholarly value, the vast majority of these elements remain unpublished to this day. Building on decades of collaboration between the Research Archive for Ancient Sculpture at the University of Cologne and the Vatican Museums, all architectural elements were photographically documented between approximately 1980 and 1990. The aim of this project is to have the architectural elements of the Museo Gregoriano Profano studied by an international team of experts, thereby making the objects fully accessible to research for the first time.

For this purpose, a new concept was developed and a group of authors was formed, comprising experts in the respective categories of building components. In 2016, the participants undertook a study trip to Rome, supported by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, and examined the material.

The team

Prof. Dr. Henner von Hesberg (Project lead)

Prof. Dr. Johannes Lipps (Project lead)

cooperations

  • Vatican Museum (Giandomenico Spinola, Claudia Valeri und Daniele Battistoni)
  • Forschungsarchivs für antike Plastik der Universität zu Köln (Dietrich Boschung, Thoralf Schröder und Philipp Groß)
  • Autors: i.a. Sara Bozza, Sabina De Luca, Ulrich-Walter Gans, Carlo Hofmann, Kristine Iara, Dominik Maschek, Marion Mathea-Förtsch, Christiane Nowak, Georg Plattner, Charlotte Schreiter

Financing

Since 2016 supported by the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung

Published works to date

  • Most of the architectural elements are now in the “Arachne” (DAI) database
  • Eck – H. von Hesberg, Ein wiederverwendeter Beckenuntersatz mit Inschrift in den Vatikanischen Museen, ZPE 210, 2019, 263–266
  • von Hesberg, Eine Gruppe von Rundbasen aus der Zeit der Republik, in M. Fuchs (Hrsg.), Ahoros. Gedenkschrift für Hugo Meyer von Weggefährten, Kollegen und Freunden (Wien 2018) 51–58

In modern Ladenburg, the Roman town of Lopodunum, in the Rhine-Neckar region, individual architectural fragments – mostly made of sandstone – have been found time and again since the 19th century; these belong to various buildings of the Roman town and bear witness to a large number of monuments that remain unknown to this day. The aim of the work, which has been ongoing since 2016, is to document these architectural elements through drawings and photographs, to analyse them historically and to publish the findings.

The team

Prof. Dr. Johannes Lipps (Project lead)

cooperations

  • Lobdengau-Museum Ladenburg (Andreas Hensen)
  • Landesdenkmalamt Baden-Württemberg (Sara Roth)

Financing

2016–2019 funded by the University of Tübingen’s Future Concept (ZUK 63); since then by the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Published works to date

J. Lipps – St. Ardeleanu – J. Osnabrügge – Ch. Witschel (Hrsg.), Die römischen Steindenkmäler in den Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim. Mannheimer Geschichtsblätter Sonderveröffentlichungen 14 (Mannheim 2021) ISBN 9783955052164

J. Lipps, Lopodunum in Farbe: Bemerkungen zur Architekturpolychromie in den Nordwestprovinzen, in: A. Binsfeld – A. Klöckner – G. Kremer – M. Reuter – M. Scholz (Hrsg.), Stadt – Land – Fluss. Grabdenkmäler der Treverer in lokaler und überregionaler Perspektive. Akten der Internationalen Konferenz Neumagen und Trier 2018, TrZ Beih. 37 (Trier 2020) 187–195

J. Lipps, Ein monumentaler Tempel im römischen Ladenburg?, in: B. Porod (Hrsg.), XV. Internationales Kolloquium zum provinzialrömischen Kunstschaffen. Der Stifter und sein Monument, Kolloquium 14. –20. Juni 2017 Graz (Graz 2018) 250–261

J. Lipps, Transfer und Transformation römischer Architektur in den Nordwestprovinzen, J. Lipps (Hrsg.) zusammen mit K. Kortüm – C.S. Sommer, Transfer und Transformation römischer Architektur in den Nordwestprovinzen, TAF 22 (Rahden 2017) 13–31

The aim of this research project is to investigate the period and causes of the late antique destruction of the Basilica Aemilia in the Roman Forum in Rome. The project focuses on the building’s archaeological finds, which originate from a single, late antique fire horizon; together with its approximately 2,600 previously unanalysed coins, this represents a key find in the late antique archaeology of Rome. To date, the Basilica Aemilia has been regarded, due to the link between its destruction and the sack of Rome by the Goth Alaric in 410 AD, as one of the few examples that make barbarian destruction concretely traceable archaeologically. This interpretation is to be tested through the cleaning and identification of the preserved coins. In addition to concrete findings regarding event and economic history, this opens up a new perspective on the chronology of the Forum in late antiquity and the dating of subsequent construction work on the Basilica Aemilia and adjacent buildings. The inclusion of the remaining finds is also intended to provide insights into the building’s use, which, due to a lack of finds, has hitherto been discussed almost exclusively on the basis of literary sources in the context of ancient, secular basilica architecture.

The team

Johannes Lipps (project lead)

Philipp von Rummel (project lead)

Suzanne Frey-Kupper (project lead)

cooperations

  • Soprintendenza autonoma di Roma (at the time Roberto Egidi)
  • Comune di Roma (at the time Fiorenzo Catalli)
  • Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Berlin (Philipp von Rummel)
  • University of Warwick (Suzanne Frey-Kupper)

Financing

Since 2013 funded by the DFG

Published works to date

S. Frey-Kupper – J. Lipps – S. Ranucci – Ph. von Rummel, Münzen aus der BasilicaAemilia als Zeugnisse der Zerstörung Roms durch die Goten 410 n. Chr.?, in: Der Untergang des Römischen Reiches. Begleitband zur Ausstellung in Trier 2022. Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, Museum am Dom Trier, Stadtmuseum Simeonstift Trier. Schriftenreihe des Rheinischen Landesmuseums Trier (Darmstadt 2022) 101–105

J. Lipps – C. Machado – P. von Rummel, The Sack of Rome in 410 AD: an Introduction, in: J. Lipps – C. Machado – P. von Rummel (ed.), The Sack of Rome in 410 AD. The Event, its Context and its Impact. Proceedings of the Conference held at the German Archaeological Institute at Rome, 4.–6. November 2010, Palilia 28 (Wiesbaden 2013) 11–15

J. Lipps, Alarichs Goten auf dem Forum Romanum? Überlegungen zu Gestalt, Chronologie und Verständnis der spätantiken Platzanlage , in: J. Lipps – C. Machado – P. von Rummel (Hrsg.), The Sack of Rome in 410 AD. The Event, its Context and its Impact. Proceedings of the Conference held at the German Archaeological Institute at Rome, 4.–6. November 2010, Palilia 28 (Wiesbaden 2013) 103–122

S. Frey-Cupper – J. Lipps – S. Ranucci, Le monetedallostrato di distruzionedella Basilica Aemilia nelForo Romano, in: G. Pardini (Hrsg,), Preatti del I Workshop Internazionale di Numismatica. Kolloquium Rom 2011 (Rom 2011) 157–159

Joint projects
  • 3. Dec 2025
    Mogontiacum und die römischen Noerdwestprovinzen (2025)
    III Workshop of the SFB 1391 „Andere Ästhetik“ and the academy project disiecta membra, JGU Mainz
  • 11. Dec 2024
    Mogontiacum und die römischen Nordwestprovinzen (2024)
    Workshop of the SFB 1391 „Andere Ästhetik” and the Academy-project disiecta membra supervised by Johannes Lipps, JGU Mainz
  • 4.–6. Jul 2024
    conference „Kanonisierung und Revision. Historische Prozesse ästhetischer Autoritätsbildung” together with Anna Pawlak, Annette Gerok-Reiter and Katharina Fezer, Jahrestagung of the SFB 1391 Andere Ästhetik, Tübingen
  • 20. Dezc2023
    Mogontiacum und die römischen Nordwestprovinzen (2023)
    Workshop of the SFB 1391 „Andere Ästhetik” und des Akademieprojekts disiecta membra unter Leitung von Johannes Lipps, Fakultätssaal, JGU Mainz
  • 18.–20. Oct 2023
    Conference „Roman Architecture as Living Cultural Heritage” in conjunction wit the project “disiecta membra. Steinarchitektur und Städtewesen im römischen Deutschland”, supported by the “Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur/Mainz”, in cooperation with the Gutenberg International Conference Center, Wasem Kloster Engelthal, Ingelheim
  • 7.–9. Nov 2022
    Conference „Colour Schemes and Surface Finish oft he Roman Architectural Orders” together with Matthias Grawehr, in cooperation with the Gutenberg International Conference Center, Wasem Kloster Engelthal, Ingelheim
  • Dec 2021
    Workshop Architektur und Skulptur aus Meninx. Das römische Forum als ästhetischer Wirtschaftsraum supervised by Johannes Lipps in cooperation with the Special Research Cluster 1391 “Andere Ästhetik” of th e Eberhard Karls-Universität Tübingen
  • Apr 2019
    Colloquium „People Abroad“ XVI. International colloquium on provincial Roman artisanry in Tübingen supported by the ZUK 63 Tübingen
  • Nov 2018
    Colloquium „Rezeptionsprozesse antiker Statuenschemata in den Provinzen des römischen Reiches“ (in cooperation with Martin Dorka Moreno and Jochen Griesbach) in Tübingen supported by the “Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg”
  • May 2018
    Panel „The aesthetics of urban production and trade“ at the congress of the Associazione Internazionale di Archeologia Classica 2018 (in cooperation with Annette Haug) in Bonn
  • Feb 2016
    Colloquium „Römische Steindenkmäler im Nordteil der Germania Superior“ (in cooperation with Christian Witschel) in Mannheim supported by the ZUK 63 Tübingen
  • Dec 2015
    Colloquium „150 Jahre Klassische Archäologie in Tübingen“ (in cooperation with lecturers of the Classical Archaeology department) in Tübingen
  • Nov 2015
    Colloquium „Transferprozesse römischer Steinarchitektur zwischen Italien und den Nordwestprovinzen“ (in cooperation with Klaus Kortüm and C. Sebastian Sommer) in Tübingen supported by the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
  • Oct 2014
    Colloquium „Augustus ist tot. Lang lebe Augustus“ (in cooperation with Manuel Flecker, Richard Posamentir and Thomas Schäfer) in Tübingen
  • Dec 2012
    Colloquium: „Urbanitas – Urbane Qualitäten“ (in cooperation with Alexandra Busch and Jochen Griesbach) in München supported by the Volkswagenstiftung
  • Sep 2012
    Colloquium „Aktuelle Forschungen zum Haus des Augustus auf dem Palatin“ in München supported by the Center for Advanced Studies der LMU-München
  • Oct 2011
    Colloquium „Antike Bauornamentik: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen ihrer Erforschung“ (in cooperation with Dominik Maschek) in München supported by the Gerad Henkel Stiftung
  • Nov 2010
    Colloquium “410 AD. The Sack of Rome, its-context-and-its-impact?” (in cooperation with Carlos Machado and Philipp von Rummel) in Rome supported by the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
  • Mar 2016
    Course „Transkriptionsprozesse antiker Statuenschemata“ at the Exzellenzcluster 264 Topoi in Berlin
  • Aug 2015
    Course „Die Stadt als Wahrnehmungs- und Erlebnisraum“ in La Villa for the “Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes” (in cooperation with Annette Haug)
  • Sep 2012
    Seminar „Individualität in Bild und Text“ at the Venice International University in Venice (in cooperation with Andreas Grüner, Annette Haug and Urte Krass)
  • since 2023 publication of „disiecta membra“ Propylaeum with Kerstin P. Hofmann and Aline Deicke
  • since 2021 publication of „Material Appropriation Processes in Antiquity (MAPA)“ in cooperation with Dominik Maschek
  • 2017–2020 co-publication of the „Tübinger Archäologischen Forschungen” in cooperation with Richard Posamentir and Thomas Schäfer
  • Rome and Pompeji
  • Classical architecture, architectural ornament and urbanism
  • Transcription of classical sculpture
  • Roman stone monuments north of the Alps
  • Reception and research history