Heidi Wendt

About the Author

Heidi Wendt is a historian and scholar of ancient religions, whose work illuminates the diverse spiritual landscapes of the Roman Empire. Drawing on extensive research into primary sources and archaeological evidence, she explores how freelance religious experts—prophets, astrologers, and magicians—navigated the complex interplay between official cults and popular practices. Her groundbreaking book, At the Temple Gates: The Religion of Freelance Experts in the Roman Empire, challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the agency of these marginal figures in shaping Roman religious life. With a keen eye for the intersections of power, belief, and society, Wendt's scholarship bridges classical antiquity and modern understandings of religious pluralism, making her an essential voice in the study of ancient Mediterranean worlds.