Harrodian's Sixth Form Classics Conference was more popular than ever this year, enjoying a record attendance. Our 15th annual conference welcomed Greek and Latin academics, teachers and students from top schools and universities across the country.
On Friday 15th November, Head of Department Mrs Genevieve Seaton, our Classics team and A Level students, greeted over 200 students and staff from schools in and around London including St Paul’s, Tiffin, Ibstock Place, Haberdashers', Godolphin and Latymer, Dulwich College, City of London Freemen's - to name a few. Five prestigious speakers from leading UK universities delivered lectures on topics directly relevant to our students’ studies whilst also providing deeper insights and new learning opportunities for them.
It was amazing being able to experience what studying Classics at university would be like.
Georgia, Lower Sixth Classics student
Dr Kathryn Tempest from the University of Leicester, spoke about women 'on trial' in Cicero; Professor Richard Jenkyns from the University of Oxford, on women in Homer and Virgil; Dr Alison Pollard from the University of Oxford, on Augustus and the Julio-Claudians: forging an imperial image for a new age; Dr Mairéad McAuley from University College London on Transgender Antiquity and Professor Edith Hall from the University of Durham on violence on the Greek stage.
One of our Lower Sixth Classics students, Georgia, who is hoping to study Ancient History at university, was particularly thrilled she could be there. 'I really enjoyed the Classics Conference as all the talks were not only extremely interesting but also very useful for my A level studies. It was amazing being able to experience what studying Classics at university would be like. For me, the highlight of the day was Dr Jenkyn’s talk on women in Virgil and Homer, it was not only presented really well but it also gave me a deeper appreciation of the Iliad and the Aeneid – both set texts on our course.”
For me, the highlight of the day was Dr Jenkyn’s talk on women in Virgil and Homer, it was not only presented really well but it also gave me a deeper appreciation of the Iliad and the Aeneid – both set texts on our course
Georgia, Lower Sixth Classics student
Fellow Lower Sixth Former Charlie is equally as enthusiastic. “Professor Edith Hall’s lecture on violence on the Greek stage was really engaging but also helpful for our studies on Greek tragedy. She even tailored her talk to focus on the plays we are studying to give us an even greater understanding of them,” he explains.
Professor Edith Hall’s lecture on violence on the Greek stage was really engaging [...] she even tailored her talk to focus on the plays we are studying to give us an even greater understanding of them
Charlie, Lower Sixth Classics student
Other visitors were equally appreciative of the chance to attend the conference, gain insights from experts in the field and play cards outside during the lunch break! (see below).
