Mridula Gullapalli

My doctoral research looks at Graeco-Egyptian interactions before Alexander the Great (664-332 BCE), under the supervision of Prof. Nino Luraghi and Dr. Maren Schentuleit. I focus on the movement of individuals and groups between the two regions, and the various politico-cultural implications of this mobility. The core of my research is an investigation of the human experiences of Graeco-Egyptian cross-cultural interaction, where object and textual analysis plays a particularly important role by revealing the individuals who acted as intercultural vectors, ferrying visuals and ideas between these two distinct parts of the Mediterranean world.

Given the transcultural nature of this research, my methodology emphasises an unprejudiced use of both Greek and Egyptian material, as interdisciplinary communication is central to addressing gaps in ancient cultural studies.

More widely I am interested in globalisation, multiculturalism and cultural diplomacy both in the ancient and modern world. Therefore, in my DPhil research I also draw on contemporary sociocultural theories from fields such as diaspora studies or migration theory to situate my research in a transhistorical space.