Studying Classics at Kenyon
Classics is an interdisciplinary field at whose core lies the study of the primary evidence for all aspects of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. A knowledge of the classics also enhances understanding in a variety of disciplines, including art and architecture, history, political science, philosophy, religion, drama, linguistics and modern literatures.
A Timeless Discipline
Distinguished by expert faculty, inquisitive students and innovative alumni, the Kenyon classics department offers a foundational lens for examining and remedying present-day challenges.
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4different majors are available: Greek, Latin, Greek and Latin, or classical civilization.
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Tales of the Looted
Associate Professor of Classics Zoë Kontes examines the stories behind illicit antiquities in her podcast, Looted.
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Theater of War
Founder of the Theater of War, Bryan Doerries ’98 uses ancient Greek tragedies as a catalyst for conversations about dark, complex issues.
Voices From the Past
Professor of Classics Adam Serfass and student researchers Ellis Copley ’25 and Chiara Nevard ’25 enable Kenyon’s Latin and Greek inscriptions, long hidden in plain sight, to speak again.
Featured Courses
Classical Mythology
It is impossible to understand the cultures of the West without some knowledge of classical mythology. Inspiring art, literature and music for generations, these engrossing stories still permeate the popular imagination. Delve into the original sources for these myths, attending both to crucial details and overarching themes, and trace their enduring influence today.
Rhetoric in Antiquity
Training in rhetoric—the art of public speaking—was a cornerstone of education in antiquity. The techniques developed by the Greeks and Romans for composing and analyzing speeches remain invaluable today. Examine rhetoric’s importance in both ancient and contemporary settings while engaging in practical exercises in public speaking.
Elementary Latin
Knowledge of Latin provides direct access to some of the richest and most influential writings in the West without the obscuring filter of translation. After completing this course, you’ll be ready to read the works of masterly writers like Cicero and Vergil with accuracy and insight.
Intermediate Greek: Homer
Swift-footed Achilles, gray-eyed Athena, crafty Odysseus, shrewd Penelope. Meet these and so many more unforgettable characters whose stories are told in the swift, kaleidoscopic and surprisingly accessible Greek of Homer’s epic poems, the “Iliad” and “Odyssey.”
Ascension Hall
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio 43022