Rebeca Vial Valdes

Profile information.

Rebeca’s research interest lies in ancient Roman history, with a focus on the late Roman Republic. Her thesis examines the concept of pax during this transformative period, spanning from Sulla to Augustus. This work is funded by a Chilean ANID scholarship. 

In her research, Rebeca explores how the concept of pax became a central notion at the end of the Roman republic, in a time characterized by civil wars. She investigates the formation of the concept, the Roman citizens’ understanding of pax, how it was strategically employed by different actors, and ultimately, its transition into a divinity.

Rebeca holds a BA in history form“Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile”, where her undergraduate dissertation examined the reception of Pax Augusta in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. She then graduated with an MA (Distinction) in History from the “Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile” where her thesis studies the notions of pax and concordia in Livy’s first pentad.

PhD

Supervisors: Professor Valentina Arena (Primary Supervisor), Benet Salway and Amber Gartrell (Secondary)
Working Title: Searching for Pax: from Sulla to Augustus. 
Expected completion date: 2026

Scholarships and Prizes

  • ANID scholarship for PhD research (2019-2024)
  • ANID scholarship for MA research (2017-2018)
  • “Arnold Bauer prize”, 2019.  Awarded by “Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile” for the best MA thesis in History.
  • “Simon Collier prize” 2016. Awarded by “Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile” for the best BA thesis in History. 

Publications 

  • “Pax y mos maiorum en la primera pentada de Tito Livio AUC”, in Alesandro Roncaglia, ed. Livio Ad Urbem Condendam. Saecula. 2021: 167-203.
  • “Augusto a través de los tiempos: recepción de laPax Romana en Napoleón Bonaparte”. In Seminario Simon Collier 2016: 45-91. Ril: Chile.
  • “La mentalidad y cultura bizantina de inicios del siglo VII a través de la imagen del bárbaro, expresada en la homilía de Teodoro de Synkellos sobre el asedio de Constantinopla del año 626”. Revista Historias del Orbis Terrarum.vol.9. Santiago, 2015: 41-65. 
a young woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera


Email: rebeca.valdes.19@ucl.ac.uk
 

Qualifications

BA History, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
MA History, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile