The Commission for Ancient History and Epigraphy is the only research institute for Greek and Roman history in Germany that is not linked to any university.  In its efforts to bridge the gap between archaeology and ancient history, the commission conducts basic research and topic-oriented projects within its main subjects of epigraphy, numismatics, and papyrology. Editing new discoveries and carrying out fieldwork in cooperation with archaeological excavations and surveys constitutes an important part of our work. We reconcile archaeological perspectives with issues pertaining to historical geography, settlement history, and the significance of objects, whilst also benefitting from close cooperation with  the  DAI's other departments. Our expertise within the field of  ancient history certifies us as an essential partner for university research projects and also as a key participant in the more general, academic and historical discourse. Being involved in exemplary projects, international fieldwork, doctoral training programs, as well as other support ventures for  young scholars, the commission is a significant contributor to the multiplicity of methods and topics in ancient historical research on both national and international level. Our library too has evolved to an important hub of encounter and exchange for scientists from all over the world.

With their research priorities, the directors and consultants of the commission represent the entire spectrum of the basic disciplines within the subject of classical studies, being Greek and Latin epigraphy, numismatics, and papyrology. The ensuing close cooperation between these disciplines under one institutional roof is unique in its kind in Germany. Even internationally only few institutes can display similar combinations of competencies. Cooperation with the other DAI departments, both in individual projects and cluster research, plays a central role. In addition to research, the commission's personnel furthermore is responsible for a series of tasks in the publishing and editing work of its journal Chiron and the series Vestigia, alongside the management of its library. This internationally renowned reference library focussing on the mentioned key subject areas forms the heart of the AEK. Its two librarians furthermore attend to the commission's archive and research data, whilst also closely cooperating with the DAI's Central Scientific Services (ZWD, Zentrale Wissenschaftliche Dienste). The commission's work is sustained by a scientific committee which convenes at least once a year.

The commission is located in  Munich's city centre, close to the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), to which it is  associated at various levels. The discipline of papyrology is represented at the commission by a recently established junior professorship  in a joint appointment by the DAI and the LMU  since 2021. Its proximity to other  classical studies institutes, libraries, and museums offers an ideal environment for research and networking. The commission, for this matter, besides is coupled to the Munich Centre for Ancient Worlds (MZAW,  Münchner Zentrum für Antike Welten), a joint platform for the classical studies in Munich. Members of the commission  staff regularly teach at the LMU, but also at other German universities.  Promoting young scientists is one of the commission's key commitments, which takes form in a variety of ways. These include internships, epigraphic academies, an annual scholarly curriculum, the so-called Jacobi-Stipendium for doctoral students, and the supervision of doctoral theses.