New to classics? Not sure where to start? Look no further! Below you’ll find a very carefully curated list of links and recommendations across a variety of media that will help you in your introduction to ancient studies.
This is by no means a complete list, and if you find something you think others could benefit from, please let us know and we can add to the list!
Academic Assistance
The Perseus Project – A digital collection of a range of Greek and Latin texts, free of charge. Their navigation between sections of texts is fantastic, and you can look up definitions of Greek and Latin terms very easily.
How to read a primary source – This is a more general resource, but an incredibly useful guide on how to start tackling primary works if you’re unfamiliar with the practice.
Guide to in-text referencing for classical studies – This is the Department’s guide on how to reference for Classics essays. We use the Harvard in-text system (author/date).
Referencing ancient authors – It can sometimes be long and difficult to put the full name of an author and work in your in-text citation, so abbreviating the names of ancient authors is useful to tidy up your essay. Note this is only for in-text referencing, your bibliography should have the full name of the author and work as presented in the Guide above.
Podcasts
The History of Rome – a weekly podcast tracing to history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas’ arrival in Italy, and ending with the exile of Romulus and Augustulus, Last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire
The Fall of Rome – Barbarians, political breakdown, economic collapse, mass migration, pillaging and plunder. The fall of the Roman Empire has been studied for years, but genetics, climate science, forensic science, network models, and globalisation studies have reshaped our understanding of one of the most important events in human history. PhD historian and specialist Patrick Wyman brings the cutting edge of history to listeners in plain, relatable English
The Partial Historians – The Partial Historians – The Partial Historians podcast was born from a late night conversation when we realised our shared interest in pursuing Roman history through alternative avenues as we neared the end of our doctoral dissertations. We’re both teachers. We research when and where we can. For us the podcast was a chance to also engage in outreach. To find a voice that is more conversational than is required in a strictly academic setting
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics – Natalie Haynes takes a fresh look at the ancient world, creating stand-up routines about figures from ancient Greece and Rome
Let’s Talk About Myths Baby – A modern, witty, sarcastic, honest [and curse-fuelled] podcast devoted to a love of the ancient world
Literature and History – a podcast covering Anglophone literature and its roots, from ancient times to the present! Each episode covers an influential work of world literature, featuring summaries of the texts, historical analysis of the cultures that produced them, and some original music and goofiness thrown in to keep you entertained
General Interest
Following Hadrian– A travel blog taking inspiration in their journeys from the Emperor Hadrian
Eidolon – An online Classics publication founded by Dr. Donna Zuckerberg
Legonium – Stories told in Latin and illustrated through Lego
Greek Myth Comix – Explaining the Classics in stick-man form
The Chilliad – a retelling of the Iliad where all the major players are frat bros and Homer is a drunk guy explaining the events of the Trojan war to some police officers in an interrogation room.
Films
Some movies about the ancient world are certainly better than others, but here is a selection of some good, some bad, some ridiculous, and some that we love-to-hate!
300 (2006)
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1966)
Agora (2009)
Alexander (2004)
Centurion (2010)
Clash of the Titans (1981, 2010 remake)
Cleopatra (1963)
The Eagle (2011)
Gladiator (2000)
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
King Arthur (2004)
Life of Brian (1979)
Percy Jackson (2010, 2013 sequel)
Spartacus (1960)
Troy (2004)
Books
There are so many classical myth retellings that can be an excellent entry point if the original texts or myths seem too intimidating. Here are some of our favourites.
Margaret Atwood – The Penelopiad (Odyssey)
Pat Barker – The Silence of the Girls (Iliad, Trojan War)
Adèle Garas – Ithaka (Odyssey)
Adèle Garas – Troy (Iliad, Trojan War)
Mark Haddon – The Island (Ariadne, Theseus, short story)
Natalie Haynes – A Thousand Ships (Iliad, Trojan War)
Natalie Haynes – Children of Jocasta (House of Oedipus)
Ursula K Le Guin – Lavinia (Aeneid)
CS Lewis – Till We Have Faces (Cupid and Psyche)
Madeline Miller – The Song of Achilles (Iliad, Trojan War, Achilles and Patroclus)
Madeline Miller – Circe (Odyssey)
Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson (or his entire back catalogue)
Jennifer Saint – Ariadne (Ariadne, Theseus and the Minotaur, Crete)
Kamila Shamsie – Home Fire (House of Oedipus)
Ali Smith – Girl Meets Boy (Iphis and Ianthe)
Colm Toibin – House of Names (House of Atreus)
Other books
Stephen Fry – Mythos, Heroes, Troy (for an easy introduction to prominent myths)
Natalie Haynes – Pandora’s Jar
Emily Wilson – The Odyssey (the first translation by a woman in English!)
CAHS 