Peter Brunt

British academic and ancient historian (1917 2005)

Peter Astbury Brunt FBA (23 June 19175 November 2005) was a British academic and ancient historian. He was Camden Professor of Ancient History at the University of Oxford from 1970 to 1982. During his career, he lectured at the University of St Andrews, Oriel College, Oxford, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and Brasenose College, Oxford.

Brunt was born on 23 June 1917 in Coulsdon, Surrey, to the Rev Samuel Brunt, a Methodist minister, and Gladys Eileen Brunt (née Blewett). He was educated at Ipswich School, a public school in Ipswich, Suffolk. In 1935, he won a scholarship to study history at Oriel College, Oxford. His work as a civil servant allowed him to develop some skill as an administrator and afforded him experiences that he might not have had as a student. Notably, during air raid duties he made the acquaintance of his fellow worker Violet Bonham Carter, and in the Ministry of Shipping he started a long friendship with the numismatist Derek Allen. Outside of university, he held a number of positions. He was editor of The Oxford Magazine for two years from 1963 to 1964. He was President of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies from 1980 to 1983.

Brunt was elected Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) in 1969. In 1973, he was awarded an honorary fellowship at his alma mater Oriel College, Oxford.

Social conflicts in the Roman republic. Chatto & Windus, London 1971. The fall of the Roman Republic and related essays. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1988. Roman imperial themes. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1990. Studies in Greek history and thought. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1993.