University of Canterbury Classics Department

Congratulations again to our Graduates (now!) - a fine parade "beneath a shining Zeus" was held in the city today to acknowledge your achievements! Whether you were there or not, the Classics Dept. hopes that your celebrations leave you and your people as happy as these two Bacchic creatures - who seem to embody the jollity of the occasion...!

Congratulations - or, as the Greeks would say, EUGE! - to all our Graduands soon to become Graduates with celebrations and the ceremony to be held next week! A great occasion to celebrate with your genos, gens, whanau and more.... Well done on achieving this milestone and all best wishes for the future! Onward to the next stage of the Cursus Honorum - be it further study with us or any other path you decide to follow!

Some information about Classoc - the UC Classics Society!

To all our students...

Welcome to the new academic year! We hope you have an exciting and fulfilling time ahead as we all embark on a new intellectual adventure like an ancient Olympic athlete entering the stadium (pictured here)...!

If you're still wondering about courses to take this year, especially in 2nd semester, you can check them out here:

https://courseinfo.canterbury.ac.nz/GetCourses.aspx?subjectnames=Classics

Also, contact course co-ordinators if you'd like more information!

Below is a message from Naomi van den Broek about access to the Arts Centre where Classics Dept. and the School of Music Performance are located:

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Welcome to 2025 here at UC Arts at the Arts Centre!

If you're new, unfamiliar with the building, have accessibility questions, or are just curious as to what goes on here, Harriet and I will run some building tours this week and next so you can get familiar with the space.

If you're keen, all you need to do is meet at Reception at either of the following times:

Friday February 21, 2pm
Monday February 24, 1pm
If this is something you'd like to do but neither of those times work, email Harriet or me and we will find a time that works for you. [email protected] [email protected]

Whatever feast you're celebrating these hols, Merry Xmas, Io Saturnalia, Happy New Year, etc.! Stay safe and let's bid a fond farewell to 2024!

HOLD THE DATE!

Over 100,000 visitors have been to the Teece, and we think that's worth celebrating! Come join us for a summertime Festa di Strada (an Italian style street party) with live music and free pizza and gelato on offer. Bring the family, visit the museum, stroll around the historic Arts Centre, and have a slice of pizza or a gelato on us!

When: 23 Jan 2025, 2pm-4pm
Where: Arts Centre south quad (right outside the Teece!)

References to the classical world can be found everywhere, especially in pop culture! Those lucky enough to attend the recent performances by Irish musician Hozier in Christchurch will have been treated to many references to ancient myth whether they knew it or not.

Hozier is known for drawing on Irish history and classical mythology in his music. His most recent album, Unreal Unearth, is inspired by Dante's Inferno and features a number of references to Greek mythology.

In particular his song 'I, Carrion (Icarian)' is based on the story of Icarus who famously flew too close to the sun, melting the wax on the wings constructed for him by his father Daedalus. The song also makes reference to Atlas holding up the sky. Although those who know their myth will be aware of how the story ends for poor Icarus, Hozier prefers to leave the story unfinished, letting the listener draw their own conclusions about how his flight will end.

Many artists in recent years have included references to the ancient world in their music, from Lady Gaga, Florence + the Machine, and Taylor Swift to Imagine Dragons and many more! All this proves that it's worth knowing your ancient myth! Keep an ear out for references to mythology next time you're listening to your favourite artists.

Image: Jacob Peter Gowy, The fall of Icarus, oil on canvas, 1635-1637. In the collection of the Prado Museum, Madrid, via WikiMedia Commons.

The Classics Dept. is delighted to announce that the following prizes have been awarded to the following students for their exceptional work in 2024 at the annual History Awards Ceremony held at UC today. EUGE!!!

CLASSICS: Outstanding Achievement Awards

Top Achiever 100 level Latin 2024
Kristen Bearsley

Top Achiever 200 level Latin 2024
Alexandra Irwin

Top Achiever 300 level Latin 2024
Alys Mycroft

Top Achiever 100 level Greek 2024
Jeandre Kruger

Top Achiever 200 level Greek 2024
Link Pickering

Alabaster Scholarship (1)
Link Pickering

Congratulations to all 5 prize-winners!!! Enjoy your success, which proves that you can enjoy your studies and get kudos to boot. Or, to put it another way: you CAN have your cake and eat it!

Wondering what to do in 2025? Thinking about doing Honours in Classics (as sole or combined major) next year...?

Then ... you are cordially invited to attend a very informal but informative session to be hosted by the dept. about Classics Honours in 2025!!

All are welcome, especially students at 300 level, whatever your interests. We will discuss what's involved in an Honours year, what your options are - including possible PACE internships - and what thesis writing is all about, etc. This will also be your chance to ask any questions you might have about doing Honours.

Current Honours students are also welcome to attend and share their experiences as well.

Soft drinks and nibbles will be served, too! (please contact Anna de Jager if you have any dietary requirements).

Venue: Attic, Level 3, Arts Centre

Time: c. 12.00-1.00

Date: Wednesday September 11th

We look forward to seeing a good number of you then!

CHAIRETE

Next time you're in Rome, just ensure you've got a good book on Greek myth or lit. by your bed and you won't have to worry about travel insurance, security, thefts, etc. In the Eternal City even the burglars have style...

Rome burglar caught after stopping to read book A burglar who broke into a Rome apartment on Tuesday night was arrested after stopping in the middle of the robbery to read a book about Greek mythology.

Looks promising...

Uncovered Euripides fragments are ‘kind of a big deal’ CU Boulder Classics scholars identify previously unknown fragments of two lost tragedies by Greek tragedian Euripides.