Classics

Welcome to the Department of Classics

The Department of Classics is one of the oldest in the College and teaches three different subjects: the Latin language, ancient Greek, and Greek and Roman Civilisation (taught through translations). Its offers a variety of modules on different aspects of the culture and history of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds from the alleged foundation of the city of Rome in 753BC until the final eclipse of Greek and Roman culture in much of the East by the end of the Umayyad dynasty of the new Muslim empire in AD750. The subject Greek and Roman Civilisation provides the perfect complement to a wide variety of other subjects taught within the College of Arts, but particularly to Archaeology, Celtic Civilisation, History, and the Study of Religions. Similarly, Latin provides a key research skill to any students who are serious about pursuing postgraduate research in various areas of excellence within the college, including Medieval and/or Renaissance Studies.

The image above is the reverse of a gold aureus issued by the Roman emperor Claudius (AD41-54). It depicts a triumphal arch erected in Rome to celebrate his invasion of Britain and his defeat of the 'barbarian peoples beyond the Ocean', although not the Irish. For further information, see the website of the Classical Numismatic Group.