The success of this transformation, and the recognition that ancient historians needed and were capable of supporting a major professional society, prompted at the meeting at Harvard in May 1974 the forming of the Association of Ancient Historians and the adoption of a constitution.
Meetings are sponsored by various universities and colleges and have been held in over 30 US venues and 6 Canadian sites.
These meetings are designed to foster not only academic research but also informal social interaction among ancient historians, many of whom are the only ones in their fields at their institutions.
The Association also supports academic and personal growth through their mentorship program (pairing younger academics with more senior faculty), a Committee on Teaching, a Diversity Committee, and a program to provide grants to help cover meeting expenses for graduate students and junior faculty.
The Association also includes members from the UK, Australia, Iraq, Israel, and many European countries.