Roelof "Roel" van den Broek (born 20 December 1931) is a Dutch religious scholar. He was a professor of Religious History of the Hellenistic period at Utrecht University between 1979 and 1991. He subsequently was a professor of history of Christianity until his retirement in 1997.

Career

Van den Broek was born in Alphen aan den Rijn on 20 December 1931.^[1] He attended the gymnasium and later studied theology at Utrecht University. In 1972 he obtained his title of Doctor under Gilles Quispel, with a thesis titled: The myth of the Phoenix, according to classical and early Christian traditions. He subsequently worked as scientific employee on the early history of Christianity.^[1]

Van den Broek was appointed as Bijzonder hoogleraar [nl] (professor not paid by University funds) of Religious history of the Hellenistic period in 1979. In 1991 he was named professor of history of Christianity. He retired on 1 January 1997.^[1] Between 1998 and 2005 he was rector of education institute OVP.^[2]

Van den Broek was elected a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1993.^[3] He received an honorary doctorate of the Paris-Sorbonne University in 1999.^[1]