Core Insights - Glenn Most is a prominent classical scholar with a diverse academic background spanning the United States, Germany, and Italy, focusing on ancient Greek literature, comparative literature, and cultural studies [1][3][4] Academic Journey - Most initially intended to study biophysics at Harvard but shifted to modern literature and philosophy, eventually pursuing classical studies to understand the roots of modern works [3][4] - He holds two PhDs, one in comparative literature from Yale and another in ancient Greek literature from Tübingen, reflecting his deep interest in the concept of "poetic truth" [4][5] Teaching Experience - Most has taught at various prestigious institutions, including universities in the U.S., Germany, and Italy, noting differences in academic culture and structure between American and European universities [5][6] - He emphasizes the collaborative nature of research and teaching in American universities compared to the more hierarchical structure in European institutions [5] Evolution of Classical Studies - Classical studies have faced challenges since World War II, struggling to maintain their authority and prestige amid the overall decline of the humanities [6][7] - Most observes a shift in classical studies towards integrating modern methodologies, such as structuralism and gender studies, although this has not fully restored the field's former status [6][7] Philology and Methodology - Most's interest in philology grew from his experiences in Tübingen, where he recognized the importance of philologists in understanding classical texts [7][8] - He collaborated on a new translation of Wolf's "Prolegomena ad Homerum," aiming to bring this core text to a broader audience, highlighting the significance of teamwork in academic projects [8][9] Academic Practices - Most defines philology as a professional study of authoritative texts, linking it to historical and ethical dimensions in education [9][10] - He believes that philology should be understood as both a professional discipline and a collection of evolving values and interpretative practices [10][11] Influence of the Leibniz Prize - Winning the Leibniz Prize allowed Most to promote classical studies in directions he deemed important, leading to the publication of the "Aporemata" series, which discusses key methodologies in classical studies [11][12] Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Most emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by ancient technical texts, advocating for a collective approach to research [12][15] - He has organized projects that bring together experts from various fields to explore the connections between ancient mathematics and other disciplines [15][18] Comparative Classical Studies - Most identifies as a comparative scholar, believing that understanding ancient Greek literature requires comparative analysis with other literary traditions [18][19] - He advocates for integrating Greek and Roman studies into broader comparative and global classical studies, especially in light of institutional challenges [19][21]