The Classics Library

‘Curses! Or How to “Nail Down” Your Enemy the Ancient Greek Way’
2019-09-24 19:00 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Badmington School, Westbury Road, Bristol, BS9 3BA, United Kingdom
Tuesday 24th September, 7pm – Professor Esther Eidinow

‘Curses! Or How to “Nail Down” Your Enemy the Ancient Greek Way’

This talk will tell you everything you would need to know if you were an ancient Greek who wanted to curse your enemy – from the question of which gods to invoke, to the correct treatment of the dead (in order that they do your bidding), to the range of magical formulae you could employ. The practice of writing curses was widespread across the ancient world, and the talk will also explore some different ancient cultures of cursing, including the famous Bath curse tablets. Esther Eidinow is currently the Chair of Ancient History at the University of Bristol and her research interests focus on religion and magic in the ancient Greek world.

All talks will be held at Badminton School, Peace Memorial Hall. Please email Barbara Bell (bmbellmini@aol.com) to register your interest. There are no tickets, and talks are free for Bristol Classical Association members, students, and school pupils. There will be a cost of £5 for visitors. Refreshments available from 6.30pm.

The Bristol Classical Association AGM will be on November 12, 2019, 12.30-2.00pm.

Thermopylae Revisited
2019-09-24 19:30 - 21:00 | RGS Guildford, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3BB, United Kingdom
The Guildford Classical Association is pleased to welcome Emeritus Professor Chris Carey (UCL) to our Opening Party. He will be speaking on ‘Thermopylae Revisited’.

Where: Royal Grammar School (RGS), High Street, Guildford, GU1 3BB. The talk is upstairs in the old, white building opposite the main RGS building.

When: Tuesday 24th September. Refreshments 7.30pm, talk 8-9pm.

Free to members and non-members. School parties welcome – please contact the organiser, Stefanie Michalopoulou (SMichalopoulou@tormeadschool.org.uk), with approximate numbers.

CA Latin and Greek CPD Day
2019-09-28 | University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
The Classical Association Teaching Board would like to invite teachers to a CPD day at The University of Manchester on Saturday 28th September 2019. The day will primarily focus on Latin A-level with some sessions on GCSE and on Greek.

The day will include a range of optional sessions, on the teaching of language and literature, led by practising teachers (including Katharine Radice and John Taylor). These sessions will be relevant for both experienced secondary teachers and those new to teaching Classics, and we are delighted to have Professor David Langslow (University of Manchester) as our keynote speaker.

Date and time: Saturday 28th September, 10am – 4.30pm

Venue: The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Cost: £6

Deadline for booking: 21st September 2019

Eventbrite Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ca-latin-and-greek-cpd-day-tickets-64392584955

If you have questions, please contact: Aisha Khan-Evans (aisha.khan-evans@kcl.ac.uk) or Chris Burnand (chris.burnand@abingdon.org.uk)

Latin and Greek CPD Day 2019
2019-09-28 | University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
The Classical Association Teaching Board

Latin and Greek CPD Day 2019

Saturday 28th September
at Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

The Classical Association Teaching Board would like to invite teachers to a CPD day at The University of Manchester on Saturday 28th September 2019. The day will primarily focus on Latin A-level (language and literature), GCSE Latin (language and literature) as well as a small number of sessions on teaching Greek.

The day will be led by practising teachers (including Katharine Radice and John Taylor) and will be relevant for both experienced secondary teachers and those new to teaching Classics. We are delighted to have Professor David Langslow (University of Manchester) as our keynote speaker.

Date and time: Saturday 28th September, 10am – 4.30pm

Cost: £6

Deadline for booking: 21st September 2019

Eventbrite Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ca-latin-and-greek-cpd-day-tickets-64392584955

If you have questions, please contact: Aisha Khan-Evans (aisha.khan-evans@kcl.ac.uk) or Chris Burnand (chris.burnand@abingdon.org.uk)

The Grand Classics Quiz
2019-09-28 09:30 - 12:00 | King’s College, London, Strand, London, London, WC2B 5RL , United Kingdom
The Grand Classics Quiz
Saturday 28th September, 9.30 am, King’s College London. Tickets £15 each, including light refreshments.
In response to popular demand, we are delighted that Latin and Ancient Greek teacher and classicist Isabel Raphael will host an entertaining and informal classics-themed quiz at King’s College.

What was Roman marriage like?
2019-10-02 18:30 - 21:30 | King’s College, London, Strand, London, London, WC2B 5RL , United Kingdom
What was Roman marriage like?
Wednesday 2nd October, 6.30pm King’s College London. Tickets £16 each, including light refreshments.
This year’s Friends of Classics memorial lecture will be delivered by Gregory Hutchinson, Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Oxford.

CPD: A Level Classical Civilisation, World of the Hero
2019-10-03 13:00 - 18:00 | Wimbledon High School, Mansel Road, London, SW19 4AB, United Kingdom
FREE Classics for All CPD: A Level Classical Civilisation, World of the Hero

Thursday 3rd October 2019, 1:00-6:00pm
Wimbledon High School (GDST), Mansel Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4AB

Classics for All and Wimbledon High School would like to invite you to a FREE afternoon training session on the World of the Hero component of the Classical Civilisation A Level.

There will be 3 sessions: one on either the Odyssey or Iliad (you choose which one to attend), one on the Aeneid, and finally a talk by a King’s College London lecturer on a particular theme relevant to the module. The text-specific ones will be run by experienced, practising Classics teachers.

An optional sandwich lunch will be provided on arrival, and there will be an opportunity at the end to talk to each other more informally over a glass of wine.

To sign up for the training afternoon and to select which session you would like to attend between the Odyssey and Iliad, please complete this form (it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes).

'Unmythable' at Hurstpierpoint College
2019-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Hurstpierpoint College, College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 9JS, United Kingdom
Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm

Hurstpierpoint College (New Bury Theatre)

Fast-paced, funny, daring and delightful, UNMYTHABLE is a whistle-stop tour through the greatest Greek myths ever told. Join the young hero Jason on board the Argo as he sets off on his biggest mission yet – the quest for the Golden Fleece.

Along the way there will be challenges and terrifying obstacles to overcome but, most importantly, there will be stories under the stars. Legendary heroes, deadly monsters, epic fights and fantastical flights are all brought vividly to life, making this a theatrical voyage not to be mythed.

Go to their website to find out more:

http://www.out-of-chaos.co.uk/unmythable-1.html

All are welcome to attend this performance, suitable for Year 7 upwards. Tickets are free of charge and can be booked by accessing the online box office:

www.hurstboxoffice.co.uk

If you have any questions please contact katherine.barker@hppc.co.uk

The Song of Arms and a Man
2019-10-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Charterhouse, Charterhouse Rd, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2DE, United Kingdom
The Guildford Classical Association is presenting the Latin Qvarter’s adaptation of Virgil’s classic and ever more timely story of a refugee leading his people from the east, performed in Latin and English.

The Song of Arms and a Man presents Aeneas’ struggle to fulfil his destiny as founder of Rome – from his escape from the burning ruins of Troy to his asylum and heart-breaking affair with the Carthaginian queen Dido and his reluctant war with the inhabitants of his fated homeland of Italy.
The performance will feature selections of Virgil’s Aeneid, read in the original Latin epic verse by trained singers, alongside an English narration which tells the whole story of the poem. This innovative and acclaimed presentation of a rarely heard masterpiece echoes the ancient culture of public performance of poetry.
George Sharpley’s adaptation of this extraordinarily musical poem is read by Emma Kirkby, Matthew Hargreaves, Elizabeth Donnelly and Llewelyn Morgan. The performance aims to introduce Virgil’s Aeneid to those new to Latin, and recapture the magic for those familiar with the poem.

Information and tickets

The Cambridge Greek Play: Oedipus at Colonus
2019-10-16 - 2019-10-19 | Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Blind, broken and ravaged by years of weary exile, Oedipus comes upon the sacred grove of Colonus, the place the gods have prophesied that he will die. Realising that he has only hours to live, Oedipus seeks the protection of Theseus, King of Athens, for he knows he is about to be betrayed by those he loves. The tradition of performing a play in Greek every three years at Cambridge University extends back to 1882, with alumni including Rupert Brooke, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Tom Hiddleston.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover an exciting new interpretation of this extraordinary play, helmed by an award winning creative team and performed in the original Greek.

Performed in Ancient Greek with English Surtitles.

Pre-show talks (booking essential on 01223 503333)

Wed, 16/10/2019 – 13:30Guest speaker: Simon Goldhill.Thu, 17/10/2019 – 13:30Guest speaker: Jennifer Wallace.Fri, 18/10/2019 – 13:30Guest speaker: Rebecca Laemmle.Sat, 19/10/2019 – 13:30Guest speaker: Tim Whitmarsh.

Post-show talks

Thu, 17/10/2019 – 19:45

Running Time

TBC

Age Guidance

12+

Tickets

Wednesday – Saturday
2.30pm: £23/£28/£32*
7.45pm: £23/£28/£32/£35*

Schools and Students: £23*

*All ticket prices include a £3 per-ticket booking fee.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK

Oedipus at Colonus, The Cambridge Greek Play 2019
2019-10-16 - 2019-10-19 | Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Letter to schools

Birmingham and West Midlands Classics Network Teach Meet
2019-11-07 17:00 - 19:00 | University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Birmingham and West Midlands Classics Network would like to invite you to their very first teach meet.

Date: Thursday 7th November

Time: 5.00-6.45pm

Venue: University of Birmingham

The event will include a short academic talk, cake and refreshments, and plenty of time for sharing best practice and discussion.

The life of an Archaeologist, 5.00-5.30

Dr Maeve McHugh will start the proceedings off at 5.00pm with a short talk detailing her summer’s excavations in Greece.

Teacher presentations, 5.30-6.45

We will then have tea and cake before I hand over to volunteers to give short 5-10 minute presentations on any aspect of their classics teaching.

Dr Hannah Cornwell will also be launching resources designed to support the study of the Roman Republic.

Registration

To find out more details and to register, email Polly Stoker at p.stoker@bham.ac.uk

I would also be delighted if you could forward these details over to any teachers you know at other schools who do not teach classics but may be interested in doing so in the future with support from Classics for All. For instance, there will be a spotlight talk on teaching Latin for KS3 literacy which could be of interest.

I look forward to seeing some of you there!

All the very best,

Polly

‘Thyestes’ at Westminster School
2019-11-12 - 2019-11-13 | Westminster School, Little Smith Street, London, SW1P 3PF, United Kingdom
Performance of Seneca’s Thyestes at Westminster School
Students at Westminster School (closest tube station St James’ Park) are putting on a performance of their own translation of Seneca’s Thyestes on 12th and 13thNovember. The performances start at 7pm and last approximately 75 minutes.
School groups or individuals are welcome and tickets are free, but you must reserve tickets in advance. If you are interested or would like more details please email Ben Gravell at ben.gravell@westminster.org.uk.
Not for the faint hearted!

Ancient Worlds Day - University of Warwick
2019-11-21 | Warwick University, Gibbet Hill Road, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
Ancient Worlds Day – University of Warwick 21st November 2019

On Thursday 21st November the Warwick Classics Network and Dept of Classics and Ancient History at Warwick will be running our 2019 WCN Study Day. Entitled ‘Ancient Worlds’, top authors such as Natalie Haynes, Emily Hauser, Caroline Lawrence, and Alexandra Sheppard will give talks and lead workshops on the ancient world, myths and story-telling, while our Warwick Classics academics will lead sessions on various aspects of the Ancient World.

Organised through the generous support of the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the day is aimed at school children from KS2-KS5 and for members of the general public, and will be organised to suit each audience (see schedule below). Caroline Lawrence, author of The Roman Mysteries series will talk on ‘Myths, Movies and Storytelling’ – What do Paddington and Aeneas have in common? More than you might imagine! In a fun illustrated talk, million-selling author Caroline shares how poets, storytellers and movie-makers use the same fun steps when composing their epics. Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods will give a talk on ‘21st Century Gods’ – Together you will explore the role of mythology in ancient Greece, then as a group, you will imagine a new set of gods relevant to our modern world. Emily Hauser author of the best-selling Golden Apple Trilogy will give a talk on ‘Rewriting Ancient Greek Myths in Fiction’ – How do we go about remaking ancient Greek myths for a modern audience? And how can storytelling open up new perspectives on the ancient Greek myths we thought we knew so well?

And Natalie Haynes, author of The Amber Fury, The Children of Jocasta, and creator of BBC’s Stand up for the Classics will give a talk entitled Troy Story, about all things Trojan and her latest best-seller A Thousand Ships.
In addition, our Warwick Classics Academics will lead sessions on their own interests and specialities in the Ancient World: Eric Csapo and Emmanuela Bakola on ‘The stories about Achilles’ birth and death: art, epic, myth and drama’; Alison Cooley on ‘The Stones of Pompeii tell tales’; Victora Rimell and David Fearn on ‘Four Classical Poems: The Wow of Narrative’; and Michael Scott on ‘Heracles – he does get around’.

Provisional Timetable

Morning Session: Key Stage 2-3 (8-14 years olds) – 30 minute talks

Part One: Myths and Story Telling
9.45-10am Arrival

10am – Welcome from Prof Michael Scott

10.05-10.35 Caroline Lawrence ‘Myths, Movies and Storytelling’What do Paddington and Aeneas have in common? More than you might imagine! In a fun illustrated talk, million-selling author Caroline Lawrence shares how poets, storytellers and moviemakers use the same fun steps when composing their epics.

10.35-11.05 Alexandra Sheppard ‘21st Century Gods’Together we will explore the role of mythology in ancient Greece, then as a group, we will imagine a new set of gods relevant toour modern world.

11.05-11.15 Break – Biscuits/Juice/Tea/Coffee

11.15-11.45 Emily Hauser ‘Rewriting Ancient Greek Myths in Fiction’How do we go about remaking ancient Greek myths for a modern audience? And how can storytelling open up new perspectiveson the ancient Greek myths we thought we knew so well?

11.45-12.30 Lunch*
*Drinks and snacks will be available for anyone attending the whole day
Afternoon Session: Arrival of Older Students (Key Stage 4-5 – 14-18 year olds) – 40 minute talks

Part Two: The Stories We Tell about Ancient Worlds

12.30-1.10 Natalie Haynes – ‘Troy Story’

1.15-1.55pm Eric Csapo and Emmanuela Bakola ‘The stories about Achilles’ birth and death: art, epic, myth and drama’

1.55-2.15 Break – Biscuits/Juice/Tea/Coffee

2.15-2.55 Alison Cooley ‘The Stones of Pompeii tell tales’

3.00-3.40 Victoria Rimell and David Fearn: ‘Four Classical Poems: The Wow of Narrative’

3.40-3.50 Break – Biscuits/Juice/Tea/Coffee

3.50-4.30 Michael Scott ‘Heracles – he does get around’

To find out more and book your place, please visit our website https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/outreach/warwickclassicsnetwork/events/ancientworlds/ or email Dr Paul Grigsby at Paul.Grigsby@warwick.ac.uk.

The Birmingham and Midlands Classical Association
2019-11-21 17:30 - 18:30 | University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Birmingham and Midlands Classical Association

The BMCA would like to invite everyone to their events this year. All events take place in the Arts Building at the University of Birmingham.

Thursday 21 November 2019: The Autumn Lecture

Professor Lloyd Llewellyn Jones (Cardiff) will be speaking on ‘Trouble in the Tehran Multiplex: Iranian Perceptions of the Heroic in the 300 film franchise’.

This promises to be a very enjoyable talk, and will be of interest to those studying The Invention of the Barbarian or the Persian Wars. The talk is open to all students studying Classical subjects at GCSE and A level, as well as their teachers! The lecture is free and will start at 5.30pm, lasting around an hour.

Pompeii and Herculaneum: Life in the Backstreets
2019-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 | AKS, Clifton Drive South, Lytham, Sta Anne's, Lancashire, FY8 1DT, United Kingdom
Thursday 21st November 7pmPompeii and Herculaneum: Life in the BackstreetsProf. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Professor of Roman Studies and Director of Research University of Cambridge
AKS, Main Entrance, Clifton Drive South, Lytham St Annes FY8 1DT
Lectures 7 – 8pm Doors open at 6.15pm
Free to members Non-members £5
Everyone Welcome. You can join anytime. https://lsaclassics.com/
FLIER FOR THE PROGRAMME

Annual Sixth Form Classics conference at the Harrodian School on Friday 22nd November
2019-11-22 | Harrodian School, Lonsdale Road, London, SW13 9QN, United Kingdom
Please do come and join us for the annual Harrodian Classics conference on Friday 22nd November.

This is for students accompanied by teachers and is a full day event with talks from some of the country’s most presitgious Classicists.

Dr Armand D’Angour of Jesus College, Oxford, will speak on Greek Drama; Professor Richard Jenkyns of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, will speak on Homer and Virgil; Dr Tristan Franklinos of Trinity college, Oxford, will speak on Ovid’s Amores and Dr Alison Pollard, Lecturer in Classical Archeology at the University of Oxford and Assistant Curator at the Ashmolean Museum, will speak on the imperial image.

Please contact gseaton@harrodian.com for more details.

The Song of Arms and a Man
2019-11-23 19:00 - 21:00 | St John’s, Cambridge, St John's Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TP, United Kingdom
BOOK BEFORE 5th NOVEMBER TO GET A FREE PROGRAMME (otherwise £5 at the door)

The story of Aeneas, warrior and refugee, in the original Latin verse with an English linking narrative

The Song of Arms and a Man tells the story of Aeneas’ escape from Troy, his stay with Dido and his struggle to fulfil his destiny as founder of Rome. These Latin readings from Virgil’s Aeneid are selective, but with the help of an English narration tell the whole story of the poem, rarely heard, in a unique presentation of the original verse, echoing the ancient culture of public performance of poetry.

George Sharpley’s adaptation of this extraordinarily musical poem is read by Emma Kirkby, Matthew Hargreaves, Elizabeth Donnelly and Llewelyn Morgan.

This is for all, including those new to Latin.

To book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-song-of-arms-and-a-man-tickets-72852067495

More information at St John’s College site: https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/live-retelling-virgils-epic-poem-comes-cambridge

19th Dorothy Buchan Memorial Lecture in Ancient History, Leicester, 26. Nov - Prof. Judith Mossman
2019-11-26 17:30 - 19:00 | University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
Dear all,
It is now possible to register (via Eventbrite, link below) to attend the 19th Dorothy Buchan Memorial Lecture in Ancient History, which will be held at the University of Leicester on 26th November 2019. Our speaker will be Professor Judith Mossman (Coventry University). The lecture will take place at 5.30 p.m. on campus in Ken Edwards Building, Lecture Theatre 2. Tea and coffee will be available in the foyer of the School of Archaeology & Ancient History Building from 4.30 p.m.
The event is free but please use the following link to register your interest/intention to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-dorothy-buchan-memorial-lecture-prof-judith-mossman-tickets-78389247349. Please also indicate at the same time whether you will be joining us for tea and coffee prior to the lecture. If you are bringing a group (10+) or would like to dine with the speaker after the event (at your own expense), please contact the convener, Dr Nikki Rollason via email at nkr4@le.ac.uk, by 20th November.
The title of Professor Mossman’s talk is ‘At Home in Chaironeia: Domestic Detail in Plutarch’.
Abstract: ‘Plutarch is an author whose self-representation is particularly prominent and particularly attractive. This applies to all his works, even his biographies (especially at the start of some Lives). Part of this persona is his portrayal of his domestic setting and his home town. In works such as Table Talk, and the Consolation to his Wife, the family setting is important in many ways and is expressed partly through the detailed description of domestic objects and arrangements. The fact that Plutarch includes domestic detail in scenes in his biographies, too, including scenes of violence and death, suggests that he was alert to the potential for pathos and the opportunities for characterisation inherent in the description of domestic life in a domestic setting.’
We look forward to seeing you in November.
Best wishes
Prof. Graham Shipley and Dr Nikki Rollason
School of Archaeology and Ancient History
University of Leicester.

Merseyside Ancient World presents Hercules, World Traveller with Dr Llewelyn Morgan
2019-11-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Liverpool College, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L18 8BG, United Kingdom
Tickets are available for the second in our new series of free public talks:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hercules-world-traveller-tickets-77088207905

Edith Hall Lectures at Gresham
2019-11-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Barnard’s Inn Hall, Holborn, London, EC1N 2HH, United Kingdom
From Gresham….

I thought your network would be interested in a series of three lectures about science in Ancient Greece by the classicist Professor Edith Hall, who’s a visiting Professor at Gresham again this year. Hall is a superb lecturer. The lectures are first-come, first-served, but I should say that for anyone with schools links, we can book some seats for school parties in the main hall.

All of our lectures are live-streamed online so you can watch them at a time and place to suit you.

With best wishes

Lucia Graves

Science in Ancient Greece Edith Hall, Visiting Professor of Classics https://www.gresham.ac.uk/series/science-in-ancient-greece/

Thursday 28 November 2019, 1pm, Barnard’s Inn Hall

Physics: its Birth in Greek Ionia

The study of the natural and physical world from a scientific viewpoint began in Greek cities on the western coast of Turkey around Miletus in about 600 BCE. The first scientists were known as physiologoi, or men who discoursed about nature (physis). Each tried to put his various observations together in a way that constituted a coherent, unified model. This lecture discusses the pioneering physical theories of Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras and Democritus.

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/birth-of-physics

Thursday 5 March 2020, 1pm, Barnard’s Inn Hall

Engineering: Archimedes of Syracuse

In the 3rd century BCE, the Sicilian polymath Archimedes advanced significantly human understanding of mathematics, geometry and astronomy. By applying his discoveries to practical problems and physical phenomena, he became the founder of statics and hydrostatics, demonstrating how levers work and in turn creating unprecedented war machines such as ‘Archimedes’ claw’ and ‘heat-ray’.

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/archimedes

Thursday 28 May 2020, 1pm, Barnard’s Inn Hall

Hippocrates and Ancient Greek Medicine

The birth of rational medicine contributed to the scientific revolution which occurred amongst eastern Greek communities in the 7th-to-5th centuries BCE. Medical professionals still take the oath of the ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates of Kos, preserved along with his medical treatises. They are a consummation of many decades of medical practice and empirical observation, showing methods similar to the eastern Aegean natural scientists in seeking physical causes rather than supernatural explanations for natural phenomena, whether related to geology, weather, disease or injury. https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/ancient-greek-medicine

Dining with the Romans
2019-11-28 19:00 - 21:00
Dining with the Romans
Thursday 28 November, 7pm, Stationers’ Hall, London. Tickets £40 – £100 each, including light refreshments.
We’re very excited to bring together a distinguished panel to discuss food in the ancient world in the stunning Stationers’ Hall. Dr Paul Roberts, Prue Leith CBE and Sally Grainger will discuss this fascinating topic, facilitated by Peter Jones MBE. The audience will be invited to participate in a brief Q&A before a wine and Roman canapé reception.

Troy: the World of the Hero
2020-01-13 14:30 - 15:30 | British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
This programme of lectures is designed to support students and teachers taking GCSE and A level Classics Civilisation and Ancient History qualifications, and is coordinated by Advocating Classical Education and the British Museum.

For all further information and to book go to: https://www.britishmuseum.org/school-lecture-classical-civilisation-and-ancient-history

Troy: the World of the Hero

For Teachers

The British Museum’s exhibition on the ancient city of Troy reveals thrilling new dimensions on several components of the OCR qualification in both Classical Civilisation and Ancient History, especially World of the Hero, The Homeric World, War and Warfare, and Foundations of Rome. Teachers are invited to an event run by the Museum in partnership with the ACE Advocating Classics Education initiative at King’s College London. This combines a lecture by Professor Edith Hall on Homeric and Vergillian ideas of the hero with a free visit to the exhibition.

Monday 13 January 2020 14.30 — 15.30

OCR Classics in 20 British Museum Objects

For students and teachers

The British Museum houses a spectacular range of the objects prescribed in many of the components of the OCR qualifications in Classical Civilisation and Ancient History, including the Parthenon sculptures, the Cyrus Cylinder, and images of Cleopatra. This event, run in partnership by the Museum and the ACE Advocating Classics Education initiative at King’s College London, provides teachers and their students with an exciting opportunity to look at, learn about these objects—along with others relevant to the components—in the company of academic experts with rich experience of the OCR specifications.

Monday 24 February 2020

Session 1 GCSE Classical Civilisations 10.30 – 11.30
Session 2 GCSE Ancient History 11.30 – 12.30
Session 3 A level Classical Civilisations 13.00 – 14.00
Session 4 A level Ancient History 14.00 – 15.00

Roman Britain

For students and teachers

The Roman province of Britannia existed for nearly 400 years from the initial Roman invasion in AD 43 to the end of Roman control in the British Isles around AD 411. What impact did Roman rule have on the province? Using objects on display in the British Museum as primary evidence, this presentation will consider examples of change and continuity during this period of British history and the picture of life in Roman Britain built up by archaeological finds and sites. Just how Roman was Roman Britain?

Monday 16 March 2020 11.00— 12.00

Monday 3 July 2020 11.00— 12.00

Troy's eternal appeal - a lecture by Alexandra Villing
2020-01-16 18:30 - 20:30 | King’s College, London, Strand, London, London, WC2B 5RL , United Kingdom
Troy’s eternal appeal – a lecture by Alexandra Villing

Join Classics for All for their first event of 2020 as we celebrate our charity’s Tenth Anniversary Year!

We’ve invited the dynamic Alexandra Villing, lead curator of the British Museum exhibition ‘Troy: Myth and Reality’, to share the inside story about putting the exhibition together in this special Classics for All Lecture. The exhibition at the Museum runs from 21 Nov 2019 – 8 Mar 2020 so this event in mid-January is perfectly placed to whet your appetite for the exhibition, or to deepen the experience and perhaps answer some questions if you’ve already been to see it. The talk will take place in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre at King’s College (Strand), and there will be an opportunity for questions and answers with the curator at the lecture or afterwards over wine and refreshments.

The story of Troy has been told for some 3000 years. Ever since the story was given epic shape in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey around the 8th century BC, audiences have been enthralled by the great war between Greeks and Trojans, right up to its retelling in Hollywood film.

What is the eternal appeal of this ancient story and that of its cast of characters, from Achilles and Odysseus to Helen and Cassandra? What did it mean to ancient Greeks and Romans, and what does it mean to global audiences today? Exploring what it is that fascinates us about the legendary city of Troy, the lecture gives a glimpse of the thinking behind the British Museum’s BP exhibition Troy: Myth and Reality, the first major exhibition on Troy in the UK for over 140 years.

Dr Alexandra Villing is an archaeologist and curator of the Greek collections in the British Museum’s Department of Greece and Rome and lead curator of the British Museum exhibition ‘Troy: Myth and Reality’. She previously co-curated the international touring exhibition ‘Fantastic Creatures’ (2011/12). Her research centres on the interaction between Greece and neighbouring cultures in the first millennium BC. She has excavated in Israel (Tel Kabri) and Turkey (Miletos; Knidos) and currently directs a major research and fieldwork project on the Egyptian-Greek trading port of Naukratis in Egypt. Her publications include Classical Athens (2005), Naukratis: Greeks in Egypt (2013–2019), and the co-edited volumes Athena in the Classical World (2001) and Ceramics, Cuisine and Culture(2015).

Following Alexandra Villing’s talk and a Q&A, a teacher will give a short talk on how Classics for All has supported them and the impact of classics in their state school.

If you have any queries, please contact us at Classics for All (events@classicsforall.org.uk; 0207 848 4741)

‘Dancing Fauns and Fountain Spouts – how the Pompeian super-rich lived.’
2020-01-17 19:00 - 20:00 | King’s School, Canterbury, Canterbury, CT1 1NN, United Kingdom
The King’s School, Canterbury will host an evening lecture given by James Renshaw (author of In search of the Romans’ and ‘In search of the Greeks’ on Friday 17th January 2020 at 7pm in the School Room: ‘Dancing Fauns and Fountain Spouts – how the Pompeian super-rich lived.’

All welcome but please contact the Head of Department on jt@kings-school.co.uk to advise numbers if bringing a group.
The talk will last about an hour.

Parking is not available in school but there are plenty of local car parks.
Entrance to the school is via the Mint Yard Gate.

GCSE Classiv and Ancient History Study Day, Cambridge
2020-01-18 10:30 - 16:00 | Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DA
18th January
Expand your knowledge of your Classical Civilisation or Ancient History GCSE subjects.
Join experts who teach and study the ancient world at the University of Cambridge for an inspiring day of talks, tours, and taster sessions which will help you get more out of your Classical Civilisation or Ancient History GCSE.
Travel bursaries available. Group bookings welcome.

Natalie Haynes Talks at Royal High School, Bath
2020-01-23 | Royal High School, Bath, Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5SZ, United Kingdom
The Classics Department at the Royal High School Bath is delighted to invite you to an afternoon with Natalie Haynes on Thursday 23rd January, from 3pm-4:30pm in our Memorial Hall.

Natalie will be presenting ‘Troy Story’: a talk based on her recent book ‘A Thousand Ships’ which retells the stories of the Trojan War from an all-female view, revealing a fresh perspective from the women, girls and goddesses.

This engaging and entertaining author is sure to inspire and inform a wide variety of students in Years 10-13, especially those studying Classics, Drama and English. There will be a chance for questions, book purchases via our local bookshop Topping and Company, and signings after the talk until 4:30pm.

As the event is kindly funded by the Friends of the Royal High School, we are delighted to announce that all tickets are free and will be available on a first come-first served basis. If you would like to attend, please contact c.binney@rhsb.gdst.net with the number of staff and students you would like to bring as soon as possible.

Natalie will also deliver a second talk in the evening, based on her critically acclaimed book, ‘The Ancient Guide to Modern Life’. Please do advertise this talk in your schools, and if you or your students would like to attend, tickets can be booked via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-natalie-haynes-classics-scholar-and-stand-up-comedian-tickets-68247150063

"Ooops, I did it again ...". Cicero, the Philippics and the Last-Chance-Saloon.
2020-01-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Loughborough Grammar School, 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2DU, United Kingdom
ELLIOT LECTURE – Thursday, 23 JANUARY 2020

The Departments of Classics at Loughborough School Foundation would like to invite parents, teachers, and students to this year’s Elliott Lecture, which will host a lecture given by Nottingham Classical Association.

Dr Ed Bispham, lecturer of Ancient History at Brasenose College, Oxford, is going to talk to us on the topic of “Ooops, I did it again …”. Cicero, the Philippics and the Last-Chance-Saloon. This lecture will appeal to all students studying Philippics as an A Level set text, however, it will also be of interest to all curious about ancient history as it will offer a brilliant insight into the turbulent end of the Roman Republic.

The lecture will begin at 17:30 and finish at 18:30 and will take place in the Lecture Room at Loughborough Grammar School. There will be refreshments served in Barrow Block from 17:00.

The event is FREE. For bookings, access information, and other enquiries please email me directly on a.henderson@lsf.org.

If you are bringing a school party, can you please email Mrs Kelly White (k.white@lsf.org) with your booking request and approximate number of students by 18 January 2020.

We hope to see as many of you as possible there.

Decay and Renewal: Living Conditions, Populism, and the Starving Plebs of Romulus' Cesspit from Caesar to Augustus
2020-01-27 16:30 - 18:00 | Kent College Pembury, Old Church Road, Pembury, TN2 4AX, United Kingdom
Kent College Pembury is delighted to invite others to attend the lecture “Decay and Renewal: Living Conditions, Populism, and the Starving Plebs of Romulus’ Cesspit from Caesar to Augustus” by Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens from the University of Kent.

The Lecture will take place at 4:30 on Monday, 27th January, 2020 at Kent College Pembury. It has been designed for GCSE and A Level Classical Civilisation and Latin students. If your school would like to attend, please email Lizzy hayese@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk.

WARWICK ANCIENT DRAMA FESTIVAL: SOPHOCLES’ OEDIPUS KING, 30-31 JANUARY 2020
2020-01-30 - 2020-01-31 | Warwick Arts Centre
WARWICK ANCIENT DRAMA FESTIVAL
SOPHOCLES’ OEDIPUS KING, 30-31 JANUARY 2020
GENEROUSLY FUNDED BY THE BRITISH ACADEMY

Following the success of the 2018 and 2019 festivals on Medea and Frogs (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/outreach/dramafestival/medea2018/
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/outreach/dramafestival/frogs/),
the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Warwick would like to invite teachers and students to this year’s Ancient Drama Festival, which will focus on Sophocles’ Oedipus King.

The festival will take place on 30 and 31 January 2020, with the 31st of January specifically dedicated to schools. The play itself will be produced by the Classics students at Warwick, and will be performed at the newly renovated premises of the prestigious Warwick Arts Centre.

For more information and a provisional programme, please visit the play’s website:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/outreach/dramafestival/oedipusrex/

Supporting the performance, the Department is offering a series of lectures, discussions and seminars specifically for school students to link in with Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History, Drama and English syllabuses at GCSE and A Level (no previous knowledge of the subject area or play will be expected), and general audiences. These include:
– Professor Eric Csapo (British Academy Global Professor of Classics at Warwick) ‘The myth of Oedipus: textual, visual and material representations’
– Professor Oliver Taplin (Emeritus Professor of Classics, Oxford) in discussion with Dr Emmanuela Bakola on ‘Themes in Sophocles’ Oedipus: Translation and performance’
– Professor Michael Scott (Professor of Classics at Warwick) on ‘The historical context of Oedipus King’
– Dr Emmanuela Bakola (Associate Professor of Ancient Greek Language and Literature, Warwick), on ‘The house, the mountain, the hero, fate and responsibility: a performance analysis of Sophocles’ Oedipus King’
– Dr David Fearn (Reader in Greek Language and Literature, Warwick) on ‘The Sophoclean hero and the chorus’ (seminar)
– Mr Kirk Hastings (Music composer and Choir leader), Participatory workshop based on the choral songs & music composition of Oedipus King.

More specifically:

The performance of the 30th of January (7.30 pm) will be preceded by a talk and discussion on Oedipus by Professor Oliver Taplin and Dr Emmanuela Bakola, with Q &A (at 6.30pm). Tickets for the Thursday performance and talk are £6, and will be soon available for booking at the Warwick Arts Centre website.

The 31st of January event (the ‘Schools day’) is FREE for teachers and pupils, but schools are asked to organise their own transportation and lunch. The (provisional) programme can be found here:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/research/outreach/dramafestival/oedipusrex

If you wish to book your pupils for this day, please email our Research and Outreach Assistant, Ms Emmy Stavropoulou (e.stavropoulou@warwick.ac.uk ) stating the (approximate) number of participants and the talk/workshop options you wish to attend by 8 January 2019. For access & parking information and other enquiries please also email Ms Stavropoulou.

In the last two years, the Schools Day became fully booked very quickly, and we operated a waiting list. If the event is fully booked or an evening event is preferable, schools can *also* book for the performance of the 30th of January (7.30 pm), which will be preceded by a talk and discussion on Oedipus by Professor Emeritus Oliver Taplin and Dr Emmanuela Bakola (at 6.30pm) with Q & A. Tickets for the Thursday performance and discussion are £6, and will be soon available for booking at the Warwick Arts Centre website.

We hope to see as many of you as possible there.
