Matthew is a history professor at his alma maters of SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Oneonta. He served as mayor of his hometown of Middleburgh, NY, from 2012 to 2020.
Education
MA European History — SUNY Albany
BS History — SUNY Oneonta
AA Social Sciences — SUNY Cobleskill
Areas of Expertise
The Last Effort to Save the Empire During the Fall of Rome
The fall of Rome was not a foregone conclusion. See how an underrated Roman came extraordinarily close to saving the Empire.
The Emperor Majorian’s Heroic Attempt to Save the Crumbling Roman Empire
Majorian was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire to make a heroic effort to keep Rome together.
Tamerlane: A Nomadic Conqueror Even More Feared Than Genghis Khan
As the Mongol Empire entered into serious decline across much of Eurasia, there was one major effort to reunite Genghis Khan’s former empire under Tamerlane.
Battle of the Milvian Bridge: The Battle That Shaped Christianity?
After a period of turbulence, the Battle of Milvian Bridge became the decisive factor in the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity.
Justinian I’s Surprising Recapture of Rome: What Happened?
Despite the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, Justinian I made a concerted effort to save the city in the 6th century.
Genghis Khan: Feared Conqueror or Successful Innovator?
Genghis Khan once struck fear into much of the known world. However, there was a side of him that surprises historians to this day.
6 Stunning Similarities Between Ancient Rome and the United States
Despite about 2,000 years between them, there are quite a few things the United States shares with the ancient Rome’s Republic and Empire.