Rhodes University Classical Studies About Us
Fields of Study
The main fields into which Classical Civilisation can be divided, are:
Literature:
the epics of Homer and Vergil (both of whom inspired Milton); the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; the comedies of Aristophanes; the dialogues of Plato; the Lives of Plutarch (much used by Shakespeare); the pastoral poems of Theocritus
History:
the lives, times and influences of such figures as Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Augustus (as well as parallels with important figures in subsequent history, eg Napoleon, Mandela)
The Arts:
the sculpture, vase-painting and architecture of the Greeks and Romans (a major source of inspiration for Renaissance artists)
Thought:
great thinkers such as Socrates, Plato and the Stoics (the latter an important influence on Christian thinking); myth and mythology
In the Greek and Latin courses similar fields are covered, but through the original languages. The first-year courses in these subjects concentrate mainly on mastery of the languages, but always with reference to the cultures out of which the languages arose.