Camille Debouchy

Doctoral Researcher in Ancient Greek Literature & History of Science

Professional Profile

Camille Debouchy is a classicist and researcher specializing in ancient scientific texts, particularly in the fields of astronomy and medicine. A doctoral candidate at the Université Côte-d’Azur and ENS Lyon, his work focuses on the manuscript tradition, philology, and historical context of Ptolemy’s Almagest. With a rare academic background that combines Classics and Theoretical Physics, he offers a multidisciplinary approach to the ancient world, integrating high-level paleography with the history of cosmological thought.

Academic Education

  • Ph.D. Candidate in Ancient Greek Literature – Université Côte-d’Azur / CEPAM Laboratory (2023–2026).

    • Research Focus: A translated and commented edition of Ptolemy’s Almagest, Book 1, including a study of its manuscript tradition and ancient scholia.

  • Agrégation de Lettres Classiques – (National competitive examination for high-level teaching in France), ENS de Lyon (2018–2021).

  • M.A. (Master 2) in Classics – ENS de Lyon (2022–2023). Focus on ancient astronomy and motions of the Sun.

  • Master’s Studies (M1) in Physics – Sorbonne University, Paris VI (2018–2019). Validated coursework in Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics.

  • B.A. (Licence) in Classics & B.A. in Physics – Sorbonne University and Paris-Nanterre / Cergy-Pontoise (2015–2018).

  • Certification in Ancient Greek Instruction (Living Method) – The Polis Institute, Jerusalem (2021–2022).

Teaching Experience

University Instruction (Université Côte-d’Azur, Nice):

  • Ancient Greek Composition: Advanced courses for Master’s and Agrégation candidates.

  • Ancient Greek Language: Master’s level seminars.

  • Latin Language: Undergraduate level courses.

  • Ancient Culture Seminars: Specialized courses on "Inventions and Astronomy" and "Lexicology and Ancient Medicine" (Literature and Medicine program).

Immersive & Secondary Education:

  • Pontificia Università della Santa Croce (Rome): Instructor of Ancient Greek for the Polis Institute Summer Program (2023).

  • Ste Marie High School & G. Budé Association (Lyon): Instructor of Ancient Greek (2022–2023).

Scientific & Philological Research

Specialized Research Training:

  • Greek Codicology & Paleography: Advanced training at the IRHT (Paris), the Sources Chrétiennes (Lyon), and specialized seminars in Venice (EPHE) and Rome.

  • Astronomical Ecdotics: Specialized training at the Pic du Midi Observatory on the editing of astronomical texts (2025).

  • Manuscript Consultation: Extensive research missions at the BnF (Paris), the Vatican Library (Rome), and major libraries in Venice, Florence, and London.

Active Reading Groups & Seminars:

  • Co-organizer: Ancient Mathematical and Cosmological Texts Reading Group (2024–Present).

  • Participant: Advanced reading of Ptolemy’s Almagest in the original Greek (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and English translation workshops (University College London).

Selected Talks & Presentations

  • « Instruments described by Ptolemy in the Almagest » – Association Aquila, Nice (2025).

  • « The Decrees of the Sun: Astronomical Instruments in Ptolemy » – Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu-sur-mer (2025).

  • « Ptolemy and the Necessary Perfection of the Heavens: An Aristotelian Model » – PhiLiA Seminary, Nice (2025).

  • « Ancient Greek Paraphrase as a Pedagogical Tool » – Haute Ecole Pédagogique, Lausanne (2024).

Publications

  • Thematic Dictionary of Ancient Greek: Contributor to the study of Theophrastus’ treatise On Odors (Polis Institute Press, 2025).

  • Book Review: "Eudoxus of Cnidus, Testimony and Fragments" (Revue des Études Anciennes, 2025).

  • Renaissance Philology: "Edition of Bourdin's Epistle to Francis I regarding Scholia on Aristophanes" (IThAC, 2024).

  • Philological Notes: Experimental paraphrase of Theocritus’ Idyll 18 (CAELum, 2023).

Linguistic Proficiency

  • Native: French.

  • Fluent: Ancient Greek, Latin, Modern Greek, Italian, Spanish.

  • Academic Knowledge: Hebrew, Standard and Palestinian Arabic, Sanskrit, German, and Egyptian Hieroglyphs.

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