Start of New Academic Year. Autumn Term 2025 Newsletter – Travel Updates, Blogs and ‘Out and About’, Exhibitions, Books, Quizzes, TV Documentaries and Films, Classical Reception, Classics for All, ARLT, Web Page

Χαίρετε! Salve! Greetings! Welcome back!  

Doubtless the Summer break is now a far distant memory, but we trust you did manage to recharge your batteries and are now well settled into the New Academic Year. We also hope that Examination Results were as expected (if not better) and that classes are healthy in numbers.

Should your classes descend into a riotous mass, always remember, Stoicism is the key! “Violence plummets in men’s prison – after inmates were taught about ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism Inmates at HMP Wayland, Norfolk, were taught how to live virtuous, peaceful lives based on resilience, rational thinking and self-discipline (Sarah on X)

Sage advice for Staff Meetings and Ofsted too!

I wonder how many of you noticed our contribution to the Prescribed Material for Examination Come Dine with Me Section for GCSE Latin | Eduqas?

Student booklets and translation booklets are available and there are full vocabs for each set of texts too.

---

We’ve been working on our Web Page; updating Itineraries, photographs, testimonials, resources, layout and fonts.  Huge thanks to Glenn for his suggestions and endless patience. It’s not quite finished yet, but we hope you like it!

---

TRAVEL UPDATES

For those amazing energetic souls about to embark on Half Term Trips and planning for 2026 – yes, there are changes afoot and points of which to be aware.

i – The ETIAS System has again been delayed. Date set: Europe’s much-delayed entry-exit system to begin. Simon Calder. We will alert you when it becomes active.

ii – Some Group Leaders have noted that Whispering Guide devices are not as effective if wearers are overly distanced from Guide. So even though the use of Whisperers negates shouting, the group still needs to maintain in relatively close proximity.

iii – Please remember that students over 18yrs must pay full entrance fees which is sometimes double that of teaching staff. Teachers pay 50%, under 18yrs are free with correct documentation that we supply. Your final package will make clear which venues are prepaid and which require payment in situ.

iv – Group Leaders are still reporting the occasional awkward Guardians at Entrance Sites in Mainland Greece and Crete, Mainland Italy and Sicily. But Guardians telling Group Leaders that their paperwork is incorrect or that you all have to pay full entrance fees is simply wrong. Politely stand your ground and call your Greek or Italian Agent for assistance.

We cannot forewarn of particularly notorious venues; it’s totally random and based upon the character of those officials on duty!

One Group Leader suggests “In terms of purchasing tickets at the sites for the correct prices, I’ve taken to approaching the kiosk with passport photocopies in the order of free, half price and paying. That seems to reduce any challenges or encourage the person to look up the new directive. It also makes the kiosk worker feel more confident in what they are doing”

We’d add to that, have pupils lined up in that order too, with passport copies on phones, ready for inspection and payment if required.

v – Ancient Agora of Athens Set for Major Visitor Infrastructure Overhaul

a – Visitors to the archaeological site will enter and exit from the entrance on Thissio Square (or Jacqueline de Romy Square) on the pedestrian street of Apostolic Pavlos, where the ticket office was recently renovated.

b – Due to the distance between the Stoa of Attalos Museum and the temporary entrance to the archaeological site on Thissio Square, from Tuesday, July 1, 2025 until the completion of the work, visitors to the archaeological site will enter and exit half an hour before the specified opening hours (Ministry of Culture and Tourism No. 127080)

c – The main entrance to the archaeological site on Adrianou Street is expected to reopen to the public by the end of 2025, following the completion of the works of Phase 3 of the Agora-Kerameikos TAA project.

d – A future horror we shall all have to endure Athens Airport Redesign: A Bold Transformation to Enhance Capacity for completion 2032

---

ONLINE RESOURCES – Book and Film Alert!

i – Roman Law is FAR from boring! Liv Mariah Yarrow

ii – Parthenon 3D A dazzling digital reconstruction of the Parthenon at its zenith. For four years, Dr. Juan de Lara, recreated the ancient marvel which has commanded the Athenian skyline for nearly 2,500 years.

iii – In a time of xenophobia, displacement and distraction, we need Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ more than ever. Informed by scholarship and family history, Daniel Mendelsohn’s translation is both vital and timely

iv – Is Gibbon’s “The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire” Still Relevant?

v – The Long Walk is Stephen King’s dark take on The Odyssey for Vietnam War-era America. Stephen King’s book, The Long Walk, lifts elements from The Odyssey by Homer for a dystopian story reflecting the bleakness of the Vietnam War

vi – STROFONIX Announces Development of ‘The Lost Oracle of Trophonius’ Feature Film. Set to film across archaeological sites in Greece and studio locations in Romania, the film weaves mythology, history, and suspense into a gripping contemporary adventure.

vii – Sicilian Shipwreck to be featured in a new documentary film produced by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
viii – Outside of just their genre fiction monthly comics Mad Cave Studios put out a lot of eclectic graphic novels and longer-form work that often seems to fly under people’s radars. Socrates: The Trial of a Philosopher is one such project. Coming in November it’s a dramatic reconstruction of the events leading up to the great philosopher’s death. One to watch out for…

ix – The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Mycenaean Greece: Stocker, Sharon R., Lyons, Claire L., Davis, Jack L., Militsi-Kechagia, Evangelia

x – FREE Open Textboook: Guide to Ancient Aegean Art

xi – FREE Roman Art at the Art Institute of Chicago * The Collection * Digital Publications

xii – “Penelope’s Bones” Retells the Story of Homer’s Women: Book Review

xiii – The Epic Women of Homer

---

EXHIBITIONS, DRAMA AND LECTURES…

…for Staff and interested pupils should you care to take an occasional passive role

i – Lecture, October – A History of Money and Currency in the Ancient World (V): Currency in Ancient Rome: Characteristics, Uses, and Functions | Fundación Juan March

ii – Ivy Pochoda’s ‘Ecstasy’ delivers modern retelling of Euripides’ ‘The Bacchae’

Nearly 2,500 years after “The Bacchae,” Pochoda proves that the old gods never die. They just move on to another party.

iii – Learn all about the ancient cult ahead of ‘Bacchae’ at the National Theatre | London

iv – Ancient Greek vases tell hidden stories through scribbled notes and signatures. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities. The exhibition will be on view at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna from 5 September 2025 until 1 March 2026.

Wine Jug. Scene in a textile shop, the inscriptions on the background have no linguistic sense. Attic black-figure, around 550 BCE. Clay H. 22.5 cm. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities © KHM-Museumsverband.

v – Classics for All have a balloon debate at Linklaters London office on Thursday 25 September from 6pm and you are all very welcome. Four top classicists will vie for your vote in this interactive, engaging and hilarious debate. Each academic will make their case for why their famous individual from antiquity should be thrown Overboard! our sinking ship. You decide who is the most odious villain, then consign them to the depths of the river Styx. Afterwards, celebrate the defeat of your chosen historical figure with a selection of ambrosial nibbles and Dionysian drinks. If you would like to join the free livestream, click here. If you’d like to come in-person, please email 

---

QUIZZES!

i – Roman Britain quiz: What do you know about the Empire’s conquest of the British Isles?

ii – The Roman Empire: 33 fascinating facts everyone should know Click or scroll through this gallery to see how much you really know about ancient Rome – and fill in the gaps…

---

CLASSICAL RECEPTION

i – New York City’s Greek Coffee Cup: How the Anthora Became an Icon

You’ve definitely seen the Anthora. A small, disposable blue and white coffee cup with Greek motifs and sharp ochre letters spelling “We Are Happy To Serve You”…

Source: Design Dives

ii – Triumph of ancient civilization of Iran over enemies depicted on huge billboard in Shiraz

---

FOOD AND DRINK

i – Ancient Roman recipes come to life in the modern kitchen

ii – Sip, don’t suck: defining ‘Greek’ and ‘male’ via beer, wine and sex JHSStudies

“Beer in the Archaic and Classical periods marks non-Greek status first and foremost and only secondarily effeminizes drinkers through associations with oral sex in contexts where ideas of masculinity are in play”

iii – Heard of Unswept Floor Tiles? This ‘Ancient Roman’ Flooring Trend Is Having an Unexpected Revival in 2025 — With a Fun, Modern Twist

---

OUT AND ABOUT – BLOGS

i – Visit to the Bay of Naples, May 2025 – James Heath

ii – Family Trip to Rome and Venice, August 2025 – Diva Verma (aged 12yrs)

iii – Emanuel School Classics Trip to Sardina, May 2025 – Michael Morrison

iv – Hellene Team Summer get-together to review the past academic year’s trips, to brainstorm new ideas for future groups, and generally to enjoy a catch up with one another! August 2025 – Dr Kerry Phelan

“Brilliant pic Jamie. Not quite Trevi, but not half bad for round ‘ere Waiting for your ‘spot the Herculaneum / Pompeii Astor misappropriated spoils‘ thread! (Sarah on X)

v –

Classics for All Impact Awards – Friday 27th June at Leeds Royal Armouries

Vishal and Claudia were thrilled to attend the Classics for All Impact Awards last June, proudly sponsored by Hellene School Travel.

Claudia writes: “What a treat it was! We spent a wonderful afternoon at the Leeds Royal Armouries, beginning with priority access to the Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum exhibition (running until 2nd November 2025). It was a truly captivating experience, featuring immersive rooms and interactive displays. A particular highlight for us was seeing three exquisitely crafted and remarkably well-preserved gladiator helmets, along with the opportunity to handle some incredible replica swords!

One especially moving moment was viewing a funerary stone that told the story of a gladiator named Urbicus. It offered a powerful insight into the lives of these ancient warriors and served as a stark reminder of their humanity.

“Vishal and Claudia had a super time on Friday at “Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum Exhibition” – Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds (Sarah on X)

After the exhibition, we headed to the main event—the CfA Impact Awards It was an honour to hear so many inspiring stories about the transformative effect Classics is having in schools across the country. The heartfelt testimonies highlighted the direct and visible impact on students’ lives. We were particularly touched by the story of a pupil at a primary school in an area of high deprivation. The student had been disengaged from learning—until their teacher introduced Greek myths and etymology. The change, the teacher said, was remarkable. A beautiful reminder of how Classics spark curiosity and awaken young minds!

---

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS…

Thank you for being such passionate advocates for the subject and for your enthusiastic teaching.  Your students are lucky to have you, and we are proud to support your incredible work!”

vi –

Sarah and John met up with ARLT at Caerleon to say “Hi!” and to hand over two (now out of print) Routledge Wall Maps for which we now have no available wall space.

We hope they are now in pride of place in a deserving Classroom! We kept Riace A!

vii – “Lovely being ‘back home’. Athena keeping an eye on our activities from the top of the old public library in Cardiff and we enjoyed visiting the Roman Exhibits at St Fagans Museum too! (Sarah on X)

viii – VIDEO: “This is just a small snapshot of our students’ adventures in Greece. Well done to everyone who organised this unique experience for our young classicists.” (Harris Federation Classics on X)

---

WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD?

GREECE – Attachment E

ITALY – Attachment F

UK – Attachment G

BALKANS, SCANDANAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, N MACEDONIA POLAND, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, BLACK SEA and beyond – Attachment H

SWITZERLAND, GERMANY/AUSTRIA, FRANCE, SPAIN – Attachment I

TURKEY, EGYPT, ISRAEL, IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA – Attachment J

A miscellaneous collection of diverse and eclectic articles on Greece and Rome for your whimsy – Attachment K

---

FINALLY – in August we were delighted to welcome to our home a past pupil and husband visiting from their home in Australia. A smashing pupil who participated in my first ever school trip she reminded me of a ‘classic’ rookie teacher error I committed many decades ago.

Unable to ascertain which pupil was responsible for some now long forgotten transgression I threatened the whole class with detention until said pupil owned up.

After an awkward silence one pupil did stand but only to declare “I am Spartacus!” ………. inevitably followed by each and every class member. Of course, we all descended into fits of uncontrollable giggles …….

Extras playing corpses on the set of Spartacus assigned with numbers so that Stanley Kubrick could address them individually and give them instructions. 1960

---

Very Best Wishes,
The Hellene Team

Sarah, John, Claudia, James, Kerry, Nidhi and Vishal