Studying Classical Greek means becoming an expert linguist, an imaginative philosopher, a sage storyteller, an ancient historian and a critical thinker . Join Socrates after dinner as he debates with his friends about the power of Eros, love. Then journey with Odysseus as he seeks his home of Ithaca despite a myriad of obstacles in his way.
Subject Information
The course offers the chance to build on the language skills acquired in GCSE to increase confidence and fluency of reading. By the end of the course all students should be able to read unseen Greek poetry and prose. It also offers the chance to do an in-depth study of the philosophical dialogue of Plato’s Symposium and the rip-roaring epic of Homer’s Odyssey.
Course Details
Classical Greek builds on the foundations acquired at GCSE to expand to reading a wide variety of original Greek poetry and prose. In the literature half of the course, you will do an in-depth reading of Plato’s Symposium, the ancient Greek phenomenon whereby after dinner guests would relax and enjoy deep and challenging conversations on bit topics. You will also read Homer’s Odyssey and unpick what the Greek’s really believed made a hero and what happened when he finally returned home to Ithaca.
Lessons in school will be supplemented by guest speakers from Cambridge University and further afield as well as study days. We also offer museum trips to look at the wide range of artefacts that have been inspired by the Homeric myth cycles.
We hope to arrange a trip to Athens and other sites in Greece to situate students’ knowledge in a real-life context.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
- Grade 6 in GCSE Greek.
- or Grade 6 GCSE Classical Civilisation (or similar subject).
Where could Classical Greek take me?
Classical Greek leads on perfectly to studying Classics, Ancient History, English and Archaeology at degree level.
Greek readers are good at solving puzzles so often find they are also at home in STEM-based subjects and careers. Coding is a popular onward move.
Delving into complex literature leads to skills that are coveted in journalism, broadcasting, publishing, curating, law, politics, the civil service, media, the languages and teaching.
Reading List
- Plato’s Symposium – read in translation
- Plato: A Very Short Introduction, Julia Annas (esp, ch.4)
- ‘Ancient Greece Declassified’ Podcast Series especially: Plato Strikes Back!
spotify.com/episode/0lFcqf8uCXMEmpjtFjopvm - Platonic Love
spotify.com/episode/3PnrziAUwqt6momSVvOrA1 - In Our Time, Plato’s Symposium bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03mhyzk
- Homer’s Odyssey – read in translation
- Barker, E. and Christensen J. (2013), Homer: A Beginner’s Guide, Oneworld.
- Homer: A Very Short Introduction, Barbara Graziosi
- In Our Time, The Odyssey with Simon Goldhill, Edith Hall and Oliver Taplin
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004y297 - Youtube Summary
youtube.com/watch?v=pdTigtNMmDQ
General Reading
- Love, Sex & Tragedy: How the Ancient World Shapes Our Lives, Simon Goldhill
- Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Gillian Cross
