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Major: Classics

Ancient Greek and Roman literature continues to be reinterpreted in every way possible, turning up in forms as different as James Joyce’s Ulysses and Wonder Woman comic books. Yet you may be surprised by how different from us the founders of Western civilization were after all. For instance, the Athenians regarded their women practically as slaves.

There is still a lot we don’t know about the way the ancients lived. Classics majors delight in finding out. Whether researching the ethnic diversity of ancient Rome or putting a fresh spin on an old favorite while translating it, they keep an eye out for the unexpected.

Classics majors study the languages, literatures, and civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome and the places under their control.

“Reading in the original, there's a nuance that you just miss in English. Sometimes [the ancient Greeks] get a whole sentence into one word, like philokaloumen, which is part of the motto of our honor society. It means 'We are lovers of beauty.' ”

Emily, junior, classics, UC Davis

Are You Ready To...?

• Translate a hundred lines of Greek poetry a night for an advanced class
• Read several different English translations of the Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles
• Debate the origins of The Odyssey
• Read great works that contain more intrigue, politics, violence, and sex than most TV shows

It Helps to Be...

Ready to think outside the box. Classics majors often take unconventional approaches, such as investigating women and athletics in ancient Greece.

College Checklist

• Are professors accessible and class sizes small?
• How many years of Greek and Latin does the department require?
• Do students have access to a department library and databases such as the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae.
• Does the department offer field trips to such places as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Did You Know?

• Classicists worked as code breakers in World War II because of their linguistic abilities and discipline.

Course Spotlight

A summer intensive course in beginning or intermediate Latin or Greek can give your language skills a jump start. After spending four to ten weeks immersed in the language, you’ll be ready for more advanced classes during the regular semester.

Approximately forty universities, colleges, and religious seminaries in the United States offer these programs. You’ll rub elbows with grad students and other undergrads majoring in a variety of fields.