Bert van der Spek
Dutch historian and assyriologist
About Bert van der Spek
Born 1949. Bert van der Spek is a Dutch historian, classical scholar, assyriologist and university teacher.
Robartus Johannes (Bert) van der Spek (born 18 September 1949 in Zoetermeer) is a Dutch ancient historian, specializing in the Seleucid Empire. He was a full professor in Ancient Studies at VU University Amsterdam from 1993 to his retirement in 2014, and is currently working on the Babylonian Chronicles of the Hellenistic Age (a collection of cuneiform tablets in the British Museum). He is also the author of the best-selling first-year book for ancient history: An introduction to the Ancient World.
Van der Spek studied History beginning in 1967 at Leiden University.
Publications L. de Blois & R. J. van der Spek, An Introduction to the Ancient World (1997 Routledge; London, New York) I. Finkel & R. J. van der Spek, Babylonian Chronicles of the Hellenistic World (forthcoming)
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Bert van der Spek?
Dutch historian and assyriologist
When was Bert van der Spek born?
Bert van der Spek was born on 18 September 1949 in Zoetermeer.
What is Bert van der Spek's occupation?
Bert van der Spek is a historian, classical scholar, assyriologist and university teacher.
What nationality is Bert van der Spek?
Bert van der Spek is Dutch.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Bert van der Spek
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bert van der Spek. https://biography.guide/bert-van-der-spek/
MLA: "Bert van der Spek." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bert-van-der-spek/.
Chicago: "Bert van der Spek." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bert-van-der-spek/.
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