2024–2025 Highlights: Classics

The Classics Department has had another exciting year, with a wide range of trips both at home and abroad. We have also continued our rich programme of clubs and societies, offered both to our own students and to partner schools.

Classics Society has thrived this year, with discussions led by students, teachers and guest speakers. In the autumn term, we welcomed Dr Irving Finkel, a curator in the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum, to talk about his research on ghosts in Mesopotamia. He introduced us to Assyriology and the cuneiform script, and explained ancient ideas about ghosts – and, most crucially, how to combat these unwanted visitors using inscriptions, clay tablets and obsidian amulets.

Classics Society Book Club also continued to flourish. Students read a classical-themed book each term: Robert Graves’ I, Claudius, Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, and Robert Harris’ Lustrum. The range of subjects was refreshing; students engaged in stimulating discussions about Roman politics and debated whether the representation of Patroclus and Achilles in The Song of Achilles was faithful to Homer’s Iliad.

This year, the Classics Society also launched an exciting new initiative: theOverboard Debate! Students tackled three themes – Greek heroes, ancient women, and gods or goddesses – and argued for which character was the most villainous and deserved to be thrown overboard. The result was a series of thoughtful and humorous debates that encouraged students to reflect on how ancient and modern perceptions of villains differ.

November marked the start of a spectacular programme of Greek theatre-themed events. In partnership with the Drama Department and Ms Hill, Ms McNamara took students in Years 11–13 to see the acclaimed production of Sophocles’ Oedipus, starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, at Wyndham’s Theatre. First performed in 429 BCE in Athens, the play tells the story of a man whose life slowly unravels around him. Though nearly 2,500 years old, the play’s questions about fate, identity and self-discovery continue to resonate.

In December, Year 11 Classical Civilisation students visited the British Museum to see a range of artefacts from their GCSE course. These included gold signet rings and votive offerings from the Mycenaean Age, as well as the magnificent Parthenon Marbles. The visit sparked thoughtful discussion and deepened the students’ appreciation of these ancient objects.

In January, Sixth Form Classical Civilisation students travelled to Warwick University for its annual Ancient Drama Festival. This year’s production was Aeschylus’ Agamemnon – one of the oldest surviving Greek tragedies. The performance was complemented by lectures, including a standout talk by Dr Emily Clifford on the iconography of the Furies. Students responded with meaningful discussions about the play’s themes and visual storytelling.

The tragic saga continued in March with a visit to see Sophocles’ Elektra, starring Brie Larson at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Students were enthralled by this dynamic performance, which incorporated traditional elements such as the chorus and live music. It stood in fascinating contrast to Oedipus, demonstrating the range of modern interpretations of Greek tragedy.

The highlight of the year came over the Easter holidays, when 32 enthusiastic classicists spent five unforgettable days in Greece. The trip began in Athens with visits to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the New Acropolis Museum, and the Acropolis itself, where students saw the spectacular remains of the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike. In Delphi, they visited the mysterious site of the ancient oracle and the Temple of Apollo, before heading to Olympia to see the remains of the Temple of Zeus – once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – and the more modest Temple of Hera. Students stood in the very stadium where the Olympic Games first took place, with some even racing its full length as the ancient Greeks would have done! The trip continued to Tolo, where students enjoyed time on the beach and visited Tiryns and Mycenae, entering the remarkably well-preserved Treasury of Atreus and walking through the iconic Lion Gate. A final visit to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens brought the trip to a memorable close.

The excitement continued into the summer term. Year 10 Classics students visited the Roman Baths and the Ashmolean Museum to support their studies in Classical Civilisation and Latin. They explored the various rooms of the ancient baths, sampled the mineral-rich waters, and took part in engaging workshops on Roman artefacts and inscriptions.

In June, Year 7 enjoyed a sunny visit to Verulamium (Roman St Albans). Students admired the beautifully preserved mosaic and hypocaust – a precursor to modern central heating – and later handled real Roman artefacts at the museum. A highlight was the dress-up session, where students took on the roles of Roman and British citizens to better understand the social hierarchy of the time.

The academic year ended with a Year 12 trip to the London Mithraeum during Enrichment Week. Students explored the reconstructed temple of Mithras as it would have appeared in 250 CE and learned about the excavations of Roman Londinium. Ancient artefacts and contemporary art installations helped bring the cult and its mysteries to life.

The Classics Department also continued to foster strong links with partner schools. Ms Kennedy led engaging Minimus sessions with students from Brookfield Primary, St Joseph’s and Fairseat, with Sixth Formers Tash, Cerys and Teresa enthusiastically teaching foundational Latin and mythology. Meanwhile, Ms Walker continued the successful Latin Club for students from Acland Burghley, Parliament Hill and La Sainte Union, designing a curriculum that prepared students for an Entry Level Latin qualification.