International Conference
Asymmetric Communication in Ancient Societies
Date: October 16-17, 2025
Location: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Submission Deadline: April 30, 2025
The study of communication in ancient societies provides valuable insights into the sociocultural dynamics, hierarchies, and interactional practices of the past. This conference aims to explore the concept of asymmetric communication, focusing on contexts where power imbalances, status differences, and socio-cultural hierarchies influenced modes of interaction. The term asymmetric communication describes situational conditions in which the interaction between interlocutors is not at eye level, i.e., it is unbalanced or uneven in respect to socio-cultural factors. In that respect, one may investigate aspects such as identity and number of participants/interlocutors as well as their characteristics, social roles, and statuses.
We invite scholars from diverse disciplines (e.g., Egyptology, Assyriology, Oriental Studies, Classics, Historical Linguistics, Archaeology, and Art History) and contributors of all experience levels studying historical and ancient languages and texts, images and iconography, material culture and contexts to join us in discussing any of these main topics or to propose other research questions based on their work.
Abstract submission
Abstracts of approximately 300 words (excluding references), outlining the research objectives, methodology, and main findings should be submitted in English or German to the following email address by April 30, 2025: asymcom-conference@hu-berlin.de. Notification of acceptance will be sent by May 30, 2025. For inquiries, please feel free to contact the abovementioned email address.
Format
The sessions will be held in person. Speakers are expected to give an oral presentation of 20-25 minutes.
Contact
asymcom-conference@hu-berlin.de
The detailed Call for Papers can be found here. Further information can be found here.