The Program in the Ancient World enables doctoral candidates with wide-ranging interests in the ancient world—Ancient Mediterranean and Near East—to extend their studies beyond departmental lines and pursue work in the languages, history, art, archaeology, and the religions of antiquity.

Four departments provide the majority of offerings relevant to students in the program: Art and Archaeology, Classics, History, and Religion; additional guidance and instruction are available from the Departments of Anthropology and Near Eastern Studies.

In addition to its interdisciplinary graduate program, PAW fosters faculty research and teaching about the ancient world, from archaic Greece to the Late Antique Mediterranean, hosting lectures, colloquia, and workshops and bringing distinguished faculty from many different countries as Magie Lecturers and Visiting Fellows.