CLASSICS
From the dialogues of Plato to ancient methods of mind control
There’s a lot we can learn from the Ancient world, from Emperor Augustus’ brilliant propaganda to some of Homer’s most jaw-dropping moments! We also specialise in rare and niche topics like Ancient Philosophy of Mathematics and Classical Greek Political Philosophy, so whatever your interest, it’s very likely we can help you out!
Meet Your Tutor
Dr Jane Orton has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, in which she looked at the impact of mathematics on the philosophy of Plato. She also did her first research Masters’ in the development of Classical Greek political thought. She is a huge Plato fan and has given presentations at academic conferences all over the world on ancient Greek philosophy.
Jane has tutored students in Ancient Philosophy, Ancient Greek Warfare, Alexander the Great, Ancient Greek Religion, Athenian Democracy, Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic, The Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian, Ancient Architecture, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes, Virgil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Jane also has university level exam marking experience and has designed and taught courses at the University of Edinburgh.
Click the link to read Jane’s posts in our Classics blog series, contact us to find out more or download our Tuition Guide and Pricing Options!
“My one-to-ones with Jane have been incredibly helpful in organising my thoughts into detailed and developed arguments. Jane is great at clarifying, discussing and giving you confidence in your work...Whatever topic I've come to Jane with, she has aided me greatly.”
- Lucja
“A natural teacher, Jane effortlessly keeps our lessons interesting and fun while remaining on course - highly recommended.”
- Oliver
Jane says:
“One of my favourite things to do is to work with adults who have a ‘passion project’ – whether that’s a series of tutorials to gain knowledge of a topic and develop your own views, supporting you in writing a book or helping you to develop a unique independent research project. I’ve put together a number of ‘skeleton courses’ that we can follow to give you a good overview, but these can be adapted depending on what you’re looking for. We can also do sessions where we discuss works of philosophy or research papers, analyse historical documents or other primary sources, or add in extra material. I specialise in taking an adaptable, organic approach led by your interests and tailored to your needs - no ‘one size fits all’ strategies but real, human interaction.”
Browse our Classics Courses
These courses are templates of possible routes of study and can be combined, adapted, or designed from scratch to suit your interests and goals. Dr. Orton will work with you to design a course of private tutorials tailored to your needs, ability and schedule – whether you are undertaking your own research for an independent project, writing a book or simply have a personal interest. Click the link to find out what it’s like to work with her.
If you are writing a book or making a documentary and need some support, or you are working on an independent project or research investigation, we also offer support for independent researchers. Jane will be your research ‘teammate’ - someone to bounce ideas around with, discuss academic research, plan book chapters or simply give a series of informal tutorials directed towards your interests: real, human interaction and support to keep you moving towards your goal. Click the link to read more about her approach.
Ancient Philosophy
Ancient fallacies, rhetoric, early atomism and the birth of political realism will be explored in this course, before we go on to investigate Plato’s theory of Forms, Aristotle’s empiricism and Epicurean arguments against the fear of death. Uncover the meaning behind Heraclitus’ famous dictum that “you cannot step into the same river twice” and Protagoras’ “man is the measure of all things.” Many of today’s biggest political, philosophical and moral debates began in Ancient Greece: this course will equip you to handle them.
This course is ideal for someone with an interest in Ancient Philosophy or in the way that arguments work – and how to win them. Options for tailoring the course include the incorporation of extra material from courses on the History of Philosophy the History of Science, or material on other cultures in the ancient world. We also recommend looking at our other online Classics courses on the Platonic Dialogues, Aristotle's philosophy and our interdisciplinary course How to Win an Argument. Your tutor has three research degrees in the history of ideas from world-class universities, including a PhD in Ancient Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience. Listen to Dr. Orton's lecture on Plato's philosophy on our research page and read her post about the development of philosophy and mathematics here.
Platonic Dialogue Studies
Plato’s dialogues are unique among the great works of philosophy in that they are not static treaties; rather they are dynamic, and they are meant to be actively engaged with. The study of any philosophical text from beginning to end is invaluable, but Plato’s works in particular offer the most value when read systematically and complemented by discussion with a tutor. We offer studies of some of Plato’s most important dialogues and offer additional contextual material from our courses on Ancient Philosophy, Ancient History, the History of Philosophy and Greek Religion. We shall read the dialogues in English translation, considering academic debates about how the nature of Greek language and culture has shaped the text, its connection to other philosophical works and the philosophical arguments themselves.
Students may choose to study the Republic, one of Plato’s most famous works, in which he explores the nature of justice, the soul, the ideal city and his hugely influential theory of Forms. We also offer a study of the Meno, one of his most accessible yet pivotal works that explores the nature of knowledge itself. Students may also like to study the Symposium, known for its investigation into the nature of Love but also containing the longest description of a Form we have in all of Plato’s works. Students might also like to study the Phaedo, a poignant, philosophically significant work that examines Socrates’ death, and challenges us to consider issues such as immortality, the soul and life after death. We also cover many more of Plato’s works and would be delighted to advise you on choosing a dialogue.
Mathematics and Philosophy in the Ancient World
Zeno’s paradoxes, Pythagorean esotericism and the catastrophe of irrational numbers and incommensurables form part of this investigation into the deep relationship between philosophy and mathematics in the ancient world. Learn about Egyptian mathematical riddles, sacred Babylonian numbers and the mystery of why a Pythagorean acolyte was drowned at sea over a mathematical discovery. The course begins with Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics, before taking an in-depth look at mathematics in the Greek world and how it influenced the philosophical thought of Plato, the sophists and others.
This course is ideal for someone who has taken an introductory course in Ancient Philosophy, those who like a good historical mystery or mathematicians wanting to know more about the history of their discipline. Options for tailoring the course include the combination of this course with extra material from courses on Ancient Philosophy, the History of Science, the Philosophy of Science or other cultures in the ancient world. Your tutor has two research degrees in Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, including a PhD specifically in the influence of mathematics on Ancient Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Listen to Dr. Orton's lecture on Plato's philosophy on our research page and read her post about the development of philosophy and mathematics here.
Reading Aristotle
The works of Aristotle were used to revolutionise medieval thought over a millennium after his death and their influence remains strong on the philosophy of today. This course allows you to study Aristotle’s account of virtue and happiness in the Nicomachean Ethics or his thoughts on political systems in the Politics. Students may choose to study Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics, which grapples with the nature of knowledge itself and how to acquire it, the Metaphysics, which examines the nature of reality, or the Physics, which examines the theory of natural change and causation. Other alternatives include Aristotle’s work on rhetoric, literature and the arts and his writings on perception, imagination and thought.
This course is ideal for anyone wishing to get to know the works of one of the most famous and industrious philosophers in history. It is an excellent follow-on from our Ancient Philosophy course or our Platonic Dialogue Studies course, which will acquaint you with the works of the other philosophical giant of Ancient Greece. We also recommend looking at our interdisciplinary course How to Win an Argument. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Ancient Propaganda and Mind Control
From the brilliant rhetoric of the Sophists of Ancient Athens to the propaganda of Spartan Military Education, this course explores the ways in which politicians, philosophers and private citizens attempted to manipulate each other in the ancient world. We will examine Thucydides’ infamous Melian Dialogue to learn about Athenian military propaganda in the Peloponnesian War. Read Plato’s shocking plans for censorship of the arts in the Republic and learn how Alexander the Great adopted Persian customs to win over his conquests. Study Augustus’ brilliant propaganda surrounding his victory at Actium, his use of the Imperial Cult, his appeal to the plebs and his manipulation of the Senate. You will come to understand how the vast Roman Empire was controlled through romanisation, architecture and the Cult of the Emperor and explore the ways that early Christians used pagan philosophy to promote their religion.
Options for tailoring include incorporation of material from our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, or from our Ancient Philosophy course. Your personal tutor has a multi-disciplinary background, including two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy. She has studied power dynamics and manipulation techniques extensively and is the secret leader of the world government.
Ancient Greek Warfare
The Ancient Greek world saw a number of wars, and military expertise was considerably developed in this period. This course will cover the Greek-Persian wars, the Peloponnesian war and the warfare of Macedonia and Alexander the Great. You will gain an understanding of the military strategy of some of the Ancient World’s major players, from the Athenian and Spartan strategy of epitetchismos to the scorched earth policy of mercenaries like Memnon of Rhodes. You will also study Ancient Greek international relations philosophy: the works of Herodotus, Thucydides, the Sophists, Plato and Aristotle contain much wisdom about the workings of global affairs in the ancient world and today. You will also learn a great deal about the characters of and relationships between the people involved: the iconic battles between the forces of Alexander the Great and Darius of Persia, for example, will be studied in the context of the personalities of these two men.
This course is ideal for those with an interest in the power dynamics of the Greek world; also for those who are curious about the people behind the decisions made in war. Options for tailoring include the incorporation of material on how to reconstruct Ancient sources to build historical accounts. Students may also be interested in adding in material from our Roman history courses such as Ruling the Roman Empire, to learn how the Romans dealt with warfare. We also recommend looking at our interdisciplinary course How to Take Over the World. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Alexander the Great
Known variously as the King of Macedon, Hegemon of the Hellenic League, Pharaoh of Egypt, King of Persia and Lord of Asia, Alexander the Great is one of the most famous individuals in history and this course will give you an insight into his life, his character and his world. From his affiliation with his distinguished tutor, Aristotle, his passionate friendship with Hephaestion, his stormy relationships with his mother and father, his controversial choice of bride in Roxana to his legendary rivalry with Darius of Persia, you will become acquainted with the man behind the myth. We will also dissect the major battles of Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela, the mutinies at Hyphasis and Opis and the conspiracies and murders that surrounded Alexander.
This course is essential for those with ambitions for world domination, or those who are curious about one of history’s most influential leaders. Options for tailoring include the incorporation of material from our Greek Warfare course to better understand the power dynamics of the Greek world. You might also wish to combine this course with our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, in which you will learn the secrets of revolution, empire, puppetry and propaganda. Your personal tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Ancient Greek Religion
The Olympian Gods and Heroes have achieved an iconic status in Western culture, and you will get to know them intimately in this course. Uncover the secrets of mystery cults, oracles, sanctuaries and Greek religious rituals and festivals and admire ancient temples. You will study the works of Homer and Hesiod and explore the themes of power, priests and priestesses, miasma and impiety.
Options for tailoring include the incorporation of material on the links between religion and philosophy in Ancient Greece, as well as the inclusion of material on how Greek gods have been represented in the history of art. We also recommend looking at our Religious Studies courses for those with an interest in comparative religion, and at our course on the Renaissance for those interested in the reception of Classical Religion. Your tutor has an interdisciplinary background, spanning Classics, Anthropology and Ancient Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Athenian Democracy
This course will take you from the emergence of the Athenian Polis through Solon and Cleisthenes’ reforms; from the impact of Athens’ growing international presence on democracy to the roles of Ephialtes, Pericles and Cleon. Enjoy Aristophanes’ scathing wit as he shares his sharp observations on Athenian democracy in Acharnians, Assemblywomen, Knights, Peace, Wasps and Frogs. Ponder Plato’s critique of democracy in the Republic, Gorgias and the Apology and learn from Aristotle’s assessment in the Constitution of Athens. Thucydides was no admirer of democracy, but his account of Pericles’ Funeral Oration was one of the most influential defences of the system in the ancient world and similar ideas can be found in the tragedies of Aeschylus and Euripides, both of whom will be studied here. The works of historians and biographers such as Herodotus and Plutarch will also be studied, as well as the mysterious Old Oligarch’s grumblings in the Constitution of the Athenians.
This course is ideal for those who wish to know more about the history of one of the most important political systems ever developed and who wish to think critically about both Athenian democracy and democracy in general. It is an ideal starting point for those who wish to take our History of Democracy course and is a good complement to our course on Political Ideas. It can be structured chronologically; alternatively, we offer a course structure that examines Athenian Democracy through ancient works of philosophy, biography, history, and drama. Your tutor has two Politics degrees and a PhD in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic
He came, he saw, he conquered – and you can learn how in this course exploring the man who made way for the Roman Empire and discovering the Republic over which he ruled. We will study the ancient writings of Livy, Cicero, Plutarch and Suetonius among others, and analyse the constitution of the Roman Republic and its ideology. Delve into the social and economic structures that held the Republic together, discover the violence and corruption that riddled it and explore the circumstances surrounding Caesar’s death and the consequences that followed. Adored by many (he was always mindful of the average man), kidnapped by pirates, lover to Cleopatra and the victim of the ultimate betrayal, Caesar's life was anything but dull.
This course is ideal in combination with our other Roman history courses, such as the Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian. You may also wish to combine this course with our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, or our other Classics course, Ancient Propaganda and Mind Control. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Ruling The Roman Empire
Vast, varied and seemingly impossible to govern, the Roman Empire was nonetheless successfully controlled from Rome for hundreds of years. This course explores how this was done, beginning with an introduction to Rome, Italy and the Empire, the provinces and the frontiers. We will explore the Status of the Emperor, Rome as a military autocracy and the issue of state terror. Discover how the Imperial Cult was used to unite and control the Empire, the development and growth of foreign religions and cults such as Isis and Osiris, Serapis, Mithras, Christianity and Bacchanalia. You will explore frontier and defensive policy, the Pax Romana and Romanisation as you come to grips with how this huge Empire was ruled.
This course is ideal in combination with our other Roman history courses, such as the Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian. You may also wish to combine this course with our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, or our other online Classics course, Ancient Propaganda and Mind Control. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Augustus and the Creation of the Roman Empire
Anyone who dreams of global domination should study closely the rule of Augustus. His brilliant propaganda surrounding his victory at Actium, his use of the Imperial Cult, his appeal to the plebs and his manipulation of the Senate all show him to be a master of political manoeuvring. However, there was much more to Augustus than clever politics: we shall also study his military achievements, his building programme, his administrative changes to Rome and the provinces, his inspired constitutional settlements and his restoration of traditional values and practices.
This course is ideal in combination with our other Roman history courses, such as Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian or with our course on Ancient Propaganda and Mind Control. Those who gain a taste for world domination from studying Augustus might also wish to combine this course with our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, in which you will learn the secrets of revolution, empire, puppetry and propaganda – all things which would make Augustus proud. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
The Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian
Augustus’ rule was a hard act to follow, as Tiberius found out when his attempts to employ some of the same tactics flopped horribly. We will examine the antics of Gaius, Claudius and Nero and the Year of the Four Emperors, before examining the rule of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. This course will enable you to sort fact from fiction, focusing on primary source analysis and evaluation.
This course is ideal in combination with our other Roman history courses, such as Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic, Ruling the Roman Empire and the in-depth course on Augustus. You might also want to look at our interdisciplinary course How to Take Over the World or our course on Ancient Architecture. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Roman Britain
This course covers life in Roman Britain, from Claudius’ invasion of Britain to the Boudiccan Rebellion; from Agricola’s Expansion into Caledonia to the Conquest of Wales and Anglesey. Get to know the tribes of Roman Britain, the client kingdoms and the different Roman and British military tactics. We will explore the palaces, walled cities, villas and forts of Britain under the Romans and the iconic Hadrian’s Wall. We will study the religions of Roman Britain, including British deities, nymphs, the Cult of Mithras, Isis, Christianity and the Greco-Roman gods.
This course is ideal in combination with our other Roman history courses, such as the Roman Empire from Augustus to Domitian. You may also wish to combine this course with our interdisciplinary course, How to Take Over the World, the Secret History of Cities or our other online Classics course, Ancient Propaganda and Mind Control. You may also like to add a case study of Leicester’s Jewry Wall, Baths, Forum and Basilica, Fosse Way and Roman Cemeteries. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Ancient Architecture
Explore ancient Greek and Roman temples, Roman theatres and amphitheatres, baths and water supply and forums and basilica. Discover the secrets of ancient Athens and Rome and become intimately acquainted with Pompeii, preserved by centuries-old volcanic ash, and Ostia, Rome’s ancient harbour city. You will learn about the characteristics of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Orders and how to recognise them, as well as studying some of the most splendid examples of Greek Sculpture. We will discuss the relationship between sculpture and architecture and also the relationship between religion, politics and architecture. The ancient world boasts some of the most iconic symbols of Western civilisation: the Acropolis, the Colosseum and many more. This course will give you an understanding of how these came to be, what they signify and their importance to the communities around them.
This course is ideal for those who wish to understand the ancient world from an architectural point of view or those intending to visit Greece or Italy, who wish to know more about the architecture of the places they visit. Options for tailoring include the addition of material from other parts of the ancient world: the palaces, walled cities, forts, baths and aqueducts of from our course on Roman Britain, for example. We recommend looking at our interdisciplinary course on the Secret History of Cities and our Introduction to Archaeology course. You may also wish to explore Egyptian architecture; we offer special attention to the use of sacred mathematics in Egypt and can include material from our course on mathematics in the ancient world. You may also wish to find out more about the individuals who commissioned these works: our course on Augustus, for example, is an excellent follow-on. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Homer: the Iliad
Discover the exploits of Achilles, the ultimate hero, Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world and the notorious Greek gods in this course on one of the world’s most famous epics. You will learn about Helen’s abduction and Homer’s clever use of the nonlinear timeframe in the Iliad. Investigate what the gods’ mysterious appearance in Ethiopia has to tell us about the Homeric Question, learn about the Greek Oral Tradition and explore the Greek values of kleos and xenia. We will explore themes of Mortality, Fear, and Honour and examine the role of the gods themselves in Homer’s work and in Greek thought.
This course is ideal for anyone wishing to get to know the works of one of history’s ultimate storytellers. It is an excellent complement to our course on Homer’s Odyssey or our course on Ancient Greek Warfare. Your private tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Homer: the Odyssey
Follow Odysseus as he returns home following the fall of Troy and get to know some of the extraordinary and fantastical characters he meets on his journey. Find out what role the gods played in Odysseus’ world and discover what some of the lesser-known characters can tell us about relationships in Ancient Greece. You will explore themes of Devotion, Disguise and Recognition, Fantasy and the Supernatural, Fate, the Immortals, Justice and Revenge and get to know the ancient concepts of nostos, xenia and kleos. This course will allow you to develop your own views on the so-called Homeric Question and to study the epithets, formulae, and speeches of the work.
This course is ideal for anyone wishing to get to know the works of one of history’s ultimate storytellers. It is an excellent complement to our course on Homer’s Iliad or our course on Ancient Greek Religion. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Aeschylus and Greek Theatre
Aeschylus is known as the “Father of Tragedy” and his career saw many developments in the genre. Discover his famous Oresteia in the context of discussions on the nature of drama and the theatre in Greek society, its links to Athenian festivals and the worship of Dionysus. Aeschylus’ innovation in connecting groups of plays allowed him to develop sophisticated themes and imagery – this course will allow you to explore these. You will have the opportunity to study the reaction to Aeschylus’ work, from Aristophanes’ ridicule to the reception of Persians as one of the rare tragedies depicting historical events.
This course works well in combination with our courses on the plays of Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. It is an excellent complement to our course on Athenian Democracy, in which we read parts of Aeschylus’ Eumenides as a way of examining the Athenian polis. You may choose to focus on a single play or group of plays, or to study a range of his works. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Sophocles and Greek Theatre
Sophocles is one of the most successful, innovative and industrious of the Greek playwrights and an important figure in Athenian political life. His Theban plays experiment with different ways of introducing the backstory, and with the structure and plot. Study the debates that take place within Oedipus the King and learn what they have to tell us about rhetoric and persuasion in Greek life. Discover what the plays have to say about justice, revenge and free will through the works of one of history’s greatest masters of stagecraft.
This course works well in combination with our courses on the plays of Aeschylus, Euripides and Aristophanes. You may choose to focus on a single play or group of plays, or to study a range of his works. You may also wish to incorporate Aristotle’s writings on tragedy and discuss these in the context of Sophocles’ plays. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Euripides and Greek Theatre
Subversive, unconventional and underappreciated in his lifetime, Euripides is one of the ancient world’s most distinctive playwrights. His Bacchae shows us the corrupting potential of power and explores the beauty and brutality of Bacchic worship. We will explore the features Euripides’ tragic plays, such as his use of tragic irony and the messenger speeches. Find out what Euripides has to say about the necessity of wine, study maenadic ritual and discover what it takes to be a tragic hero in this exploration of one of history’s greatest tragedians.
This course works well in combination with our courses on the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Aristophanes. It is an excellent complement to our course on Athenian Democracy, in which we read parts of Euripides’ Suppliants as a way of examining Athenian democratic ideals. You may choose to focus on a single play or group of plays, or to study a range of Euripides’ works. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Aristophanes and Greek Theatre
Nobody in Athens was safe from Aristophanes’ sharp wit. His plays satirised politicians such as Cleon, the playwright Euripides, the Greek intelligentsia and even the great philosopher Socrates (who is said to have stood during a performance so that the audience could compare him to his stage character). Undeniably inventive in his use of slapstick and his irreverence for the establishment, Aristophanes should not be overlooked when it comes to the serious content of his plays. His political commentary spanned from the ridicule of jury-service in Wasps to the portrayal of a wartime sex strike in Lysistrata; his portrayal of Dionysus in Frogs gives us an important insight into the role of religion in Greek life. This course provides a fascinating insight into the Greek world through the eyes of its best-known comedian.
This course works well in combination with our courses on the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, with options including a comparative study of the very different presentations of Dionysus in Aristophanes’ Frogs and Euripides’ Bacchae. Other options include a comparative study with Plato’s Symposium, in which Aristophanes himself appears as a character. It is an excellent complement to our course on Athenian Democracy, in which we read Acharnians, Assemblywomen, Knights, Peace, Wasps and Frogs for Aristophanes’ observations on Athenian democracy. Your tutor has a PhD in Classics and Philosophy, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Virgil: the Aeneid
Virgil had seen his country torn apart by civil war, and his reaction to this can be seen in many ways in the Aeneid. There is an option in this course to view the great work in the context of Augustus’ restoration of peace to the Romans and the ways in which Virgil explores this. Also of great importance will be the comparison of the Aeneid in structure and technique to the epics of Homer: we will be examining the similarities between the two and exploring what the differences can tell us about Virgil’s own situation and approach to writing. We will discuss themes of fate, destiny, the role of the immortals, friendship and family as we discover the adventures of the founder of the Roman race.
This course is an excellent complement to our courses on Homer’s Iliad and the Odyssey, or in combination with our Roman history courses on the Roman Republic and Augustus and the Creation of the Roman Empire. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.
Ovid: the Metamorphoses
Notoriously complacent in predicting his own fame after death and often seen as the culmination of ancient literature, Ovid had the advantage of drawing on great writers such as Homer, Hesiod, Euripides and Virgil. Soon after the publication of the Metamorphoses, Ovid found himself exiled by Augustus with his books banned from the libraries at Rome. This course explores the themes of his work, such as transformation, love, art and suffering in the context of ancient religion, culture and civic life.
This course is an excellent complement to our course on Virgil’s Aeneid, or in combination with our Roman history courses on the Roman Republic. We also recommend looking at our course on the Renaissance for those who are interested in the reception of Ovid. Your tutor has two research degrees in Classics and Ancient Philosophy from world-class universities, and fourteen years of tutoring and lecturing experience.