College of Charleston Department of Classics

Thanks for visiting the Classics Department, President Hsu! We hope Dr. Alwine's explanation of the digamma wasn't too arcane! 😁

New scholarship for undergraduates in Classics and STEM

Fall 2021 - College of Charleston

Hey CofC students, looking for classes to add to your fall schedule? Check out the Classics Department offerings here: https://classics.cofc.edu/academics/currentofferings.php

Fall 2021 - College of Charleston Current Offerings in Classics

Congratulations to Dr. SK on a new publication!

Dr. Sterrett-Krause has just published a chapter in Leptiminus (Lamta) Report No. 4: The East Cemetery: stratigraphy, ceramics, non-ceramic finds and bio-archaeological studies, edited by Nejib Ben Lazreg, Lea M. Stirling, and Jennifer P. Moore. This 2-volume archaeological report appears in the prestigious Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series, no. 110. The book reports on excavations of a large Roman and Byzantine (Christian) cemetery from the town of Leptiminus, Tunisia; Dr. Sterrett-Krause’s chapter includes primary publication of the glass from the excavations and an earlier survey of the city. She also analyses the types of glass vessels found at the cemetery, provides evidence for dating the vessels and their use, and proposes that Christian residents of Leptiminus may have used similar rituals of commemorating the dead as their pagan Roman forebearers. CofC alumni Sarah Legendre ‘17 and Colin Shields ’20 assisted Dr. Sterrett-Krause with this work.

The Leptiminus East Cemetery excavations are among the first in North Africa to study such a wide range of archaeological evidence from modern stratigraphic excavation: tomb markers and architecture; ceramics; glass vessels; coins; human skeletal remains; animal bones; and botanical data. This kind of work takes a huge effort: 16 authors from five countries; dozens of excavators, illustrators, and research assistants; five seasons of excavation and field study; and 12 years of post-excavation research, review, writing, and editing! The combined research gives a rich picture of human activities at the site of Leptiminus’ East Cemetery over more than 4 centuries and offers insights into the nature of death—and life—in an ordinary Roman town.

Congratulations to Dr. SK on a new publication!

Dr. Sterrett-Krause has just published a chapter in Leptiminus (Lamta) Report No. 4: The East Cemetery: stratigraphy, ceramics, non-ceramic finds and bio-archaeological studies, edited by Nejib Ben Lazreg, Lea M. Stirling, and Jennifer P. Moore. This 2-volume archaeological report appears in the prestigious Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series, no. 110. The book reports on excavations of a large Roman and Byzantine (Christian) cemetery from the town of Leptiminus, Tunisia; Dr. Sterrett-Krause’s chapter includes primary publication of the glass from the excavations and an earlier survey of the city. She also analyses the types of glass vessels found at the cemetery, provides evidence for dating the vessels and their use, and proposes that Christian residents of Leptiminus may have used similar rituals of commemorating the dead as their pagan Roman forebearers. CofC alumni Sarah Legendre ‘17 and Colin Shields ’20 assisted Dr. Sterrett-Krause with this work.

The Leptiminus East Cemetery excavations are among the first in North Africa to study such a wide range of archaeological evidence from modern stratigraphic excavation: tomb markers and architecture; ceramics; glass vessels; coins; human skeletal remains; animal bones; and botanical data. This kind of work takes a huge effort: 16 authors from five countries; dozens of excavators, illustrators, and research assistants; five seasons of excavation and field study; and 12 years of post-excavation research, review, writing, and editing! The combined research gives a rich picture of human activities at the site of Leptiminus’ East Cemetery over more than 4 centuries and offers insights into the nature of death—and life—in an ordinary Roman town.

Congratulations to Dr. Gerrish, who has officially earned tenure at CofC!

Congratulations to Dr. Gerrish, who has officially earned tenure at CofC!

Archaeology Comes to Life at the College of Charleston

CofC's Archaeology Program featured on The College Today, with shoutouts to Professor Newhard!

Archaeology Comes to Life at the College of Charleston It’s a beautiful spring day on campus as College of Charleston junior Robbie Ferrell carefully brushes away bits of dirt from some bricks. His work is revealing more and more of a mid-19th-century structure located just below the surface of the dirt at a site adjacent to Rivers Green. This anthrop...

The Blues of Achilles

Reminder: We are hosting a virtual performance of Joe Goodkin's "The Blues of Achilles," musical adaptation of Homer's Iliad, TOMORROW, Thursday, March 25, 7pm ET!

Details and preregistration information here:

https://go.activecalendar.com/cofc/event/the-blues-of-achilles/

The Blues of Achilles A virtual performance of Joe Goodkin's musical adaptation of Homer's Iliad.

We are hosting a virtual performance of Joe Goodkin's musical adaptation of the Iliad: "The Blues of Achilles," on Thursday, March 25, 7pm ET.

Preregister here: https://cofc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdu6vqjgsE9KCCxSkLI5wC-nmncGtYK_4

We hope to see you there!

We are hosting a virtual performance of Joe Goodkin's musical adaptation of the Iliad: "The Blues of Achilles," on Thursday, March 25, 7pm ET.

Preregister here: https://cofc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdu6vqjgsE9KCCxSkLI5wC-nmncGtYK_4

We hope to see you there!

The SC-AIA is hosting a virtual lecture by Kathryn Gleason, Cornell University, a renowned expert in garden archaeology. Her talk on March 18, 7 pm, (via Zoom) is “Digging the Mughal/Rajput Charbagh Gardens of Nagaur, Rajasthan”. Preregistration for the lecture is required: https://cofc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvfuquqTIqGN0uiXzkbuO8g0sU7JwSfOD5

We hope to see you there!

The SC-AIA is hosting a virtual lecture by Kathryn Gleason, Cornell University, a renowned expert in garden archaeology. Her talk on March 18, 7 pm, (via Zoom) is “Digging the Mughal/Rajput Charbagh Gardens of Nagaur, Rajasthan”. Preregistration for the lecture is required: https://cofc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvfuquqTIqGN0uiXzkbuO8g0sU7JwSfOD5

We hope to see you there!

Virtual Pompeii – Tesseract

Interesting stuff

Virtual Pompeii – Tesseract

Penn Museum has hired its first Black director, who pivoted from physics to antiquities

From physics to Sumerian!

Penn Museum has hired its first Black director, who pivoted from physics to antiquities Christopher Woods has been running Chicago's renowned Oriental Institute since 2017. He walked away from physics to make a career of his college hobby: the ancient Sumerian language.

CofC’s ‘Antigone’ adapts to 2020 in more ways than one

CofC is putting on a production of Sophocles’ Antigone next week!

charlestoncitypaper.com Antigone, for director Nakeisha Daniel, is the perfect play to produce in the final days of a presidential administration that routinely displays authoritarian tendencies. “We had several meetings about which classical plays really hit the mark, and during one conversation, six people said we shou...

Current Offerings - College of Charleston

CofC students: as you begin preparing for next semester, check out our spring 2021 course offerings: https://classics.cofc.edu/academics/currentofferings.php

classics.cofc.edu Current Offerings in Classics

Congrats to the CofC Class of 2020 classics majors! It was great to see those of you who were able to participate in this weekend’s ceremony, and we look forward to hearing about all of your future accomplishments and endeavors!

“Who Were the Ancient Greek Sculptors in Clay? Insights from their Fingerprints.” AIA-SC lecture, 10/15/20, Dr. Julie Hruby

aiasouthcarolina.wordpress.com Please join the AIA-South Carolina Society for a lecture by Dr. Julie Hruby, Dartmouth College, on 10/15/2020 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Hruby will share insights from fingerprint analysis on Greek ceramics: …

Live From Epidaurus: The Persians by Aeschylus

Today! 2:00 EDT!
https://www.livefromepidaurus.gr/

livefromepidaurus.gr For the first time ever, an ancient Greek drama performance will be streamed live, from the ancient theater of Epidaurus

Professor Flores interviews Danielle Perry of the Mountaintop Coalition-Bryn Mawr. Well done, sir!

On this Juneteenth on the SCS Blog, Prof. Sam Flores
speaks with Danielle J. Perry about the creation of the Mountaintop Coalition, which brings together Classicists of Color to promote access, equity, inclusion, and collective strength. An important interview with many resources for learning, supporting, and getting involved. https://classicalstudies.org/node/34522

Blog: What is the Worth of a Masters in Classics? Some Advice on Terminal MAs

Considering graduate school in classics? Some information on the pros and cons of pursuing an MA in classics, as well as some of the MA programs around the country.

classicalstudies.org Have you ever thought about a terminal MA in Classics?

ClassiCasts Episode 5: Jules Riddle and MC Manning

ClassiCasts is back! In this episode, Dr. Overholt speaks with current College of Charleston students and classics majors Jules Riddle and MC Manning about their experience at CofC and their thoughts about the field.

blogs.cofc.edu In this episode of ClassiCasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with current College of Charleston students and classics majors Jules Riddle and MC Manning about their experience at CofC and their thoughts abo…

College of the Holy Cross

FYI: pandemic expert Dr. Anthony Fauci was a Classics major!

holycross.edu Founded in 1843 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Worcester, Massachusetts, the College is a highly selective, four year, undergraduate, liberal arts institution.

Classical Charleston 2020: Translatio: Carrying Ideas Across Cultures

Reminder: this upcoming Monday-Tuesday, March 9-10, we are hosting our annual Classical Charleston colloquium: Translatio: Carrying Ideas Across Cultures

blogs.cofc.edu On March 9-10, 2020, the eighth annual colloquium of the Theodore B. Guérard Lecture Series will look at the topic of translation. Often viewed as a simple if specialized practice, translation is a…

ClassiCasts, Episode 4: Dr. Allison Sterrett-Krause

In this episode of ClassiCasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Dr. Allison Sterrett-Krause, an assistant professor in the Department of Classics. Dr. Sterrett-Krause is a specialist in the archaeological study of ancient glass here at the College of Charleston where she directs the Charleston Archaeological Glass Lab, a “one-of-a-kind research opportunity for students.” She is currently leading a team of undergraduate volunteer researchers studying glass from the Bir El Knissia church in Tunisia. [ 30 more words ]
https://blogs.cofc.edu/classics/2020/02/24/classicasts-episode-4-dr-allison-sterrett-krause/

blogs.cofc.edu In this episode of ClassiCasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Dr. Allison Sterrett-Krause, an assistant professor in the Department of Classics. Dr. Sterrett-Krause is a specialist in the archaeological…

Classical Charleston 2020: Translatio: Carrying Ideas Across Cultures

On March 9-10, 2020, the eighth annual colloquium of the Theodore B. Guérard Lecture Series will look at the topic of translation. Often viewed as a simple if specialized practice, translation is a means by which ideas are transferred from one culture to another, a process which brings the practices into the wider lenses of reception and cross-cultural engagement.
https://blogs.cofc.edu/classics/2020/02/19/classical-charleston-2020-translatio-carrying-ideas-across-cultures/

blogs.cofc.edu On March 9-10, 2020, the eighth annual colloquium of the Theodore B. Guérard Lecture Series will look at the topic of translation. Often viewed as a simple if specialized practice, translation is a…

Dozens of curse tablets found down a 2,500-year-old well in Athens

haaretz.com ***

Alumna is Not Toying Around at Mattel

CofC Classics Alumna is Not Toying Around

today.cofc.edu As the director of global brand marketing for Mattel, Lily Crawford ’06 is all business when it comes to launching new product lines.

CofC Classics faculty and students had a great day hosting SC high school students for Classics in the Lowcountry today!

ClassiCasts, Episode 3: Spencer Williams

In this episode of ClassiClasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Spencer Williams. Spencer is a 2011 graduate of the College of Charleston who went on to serve as a staff assistant and legislative aid to Senator Lindsey Graham on Capitol Hill before entering law school. He is now a lawyer living in Washington, DC. This past December, Dr. Overholt spoke with Spencer about Classics, his time at the College of Charleston, and the role that Classics played in helping him navigate the professional world. [ 50 more words ]
https://blogs.cofc.edu/classics/2020/01/17/classicasts-episode-3-spencer-williams/

blogs.cofc.edu In this episode of ClassiClasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Spencer Williams. Spencer is a 2011 graduate of the College of Charleston who went on to serve as a staff assistant and legislative aid to …

Education without liberal arts is a threat to humanity, argues UBC president | CBC Radio

This... h/t to Simon Lewis.

cbc.ca UBC president Santa J. Ono is a renowned biologist and award-winning professor but he says the liberal arts courses he took as an undergraduate gave him the wisdom he needed to flourish. He's concerned that the liberal arts are no longer held in high enough esteem in our society.

Blog: Women in Classics: A Conversation with SCS President-Elect Shelley Haley: Part I

Parts I and II of the interview with Shelley Haley, president-elect of the Society for Classical Studies.
Part I: https://classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/claire-catenaccio/blog-women-classics-conversation-scs-president-elect-shelley-haley-part-i
Part II: https://classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/claire-catenaccio/blog-women-classics-conversation-shelley-haley-part-ii

classicalstudies.org

[01/05/20]   Looking forward to the CofC Classics alumni reception - 9:00 pm

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Greek Royal Tombs Dating Back 3,500 Years

NPR bit on the Pylos finds
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/17/789142592/archaeologists-discover-ancient-greek-royal-tombs-dating-back-3-500-years?utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=npr

npr.org Among the findings are a gold pendant with the image of an Egyptian goddess, suggesting wider interaction between ancient Greece and Egypt than previously known.

Tombs at Ancient Greek Site Were Gold-Lined Chambers

Recent news from Pylos.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/science/tombs-archaeology-ancient-greece.html

nytimes.com The burial structures were looted during antiquity, but beads and a pendant depicting Hathor, an Egyptian goddess, suggest earlier trade links between Pylos, Greece, and Egypt.

ClassiCasts, Episode 2: CEO of Colley Intelligence

In this episode of ClassiClasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Ryan Colley, CEO of Colley Intelligence, about about his job and its connection with Classics. Click the playbar below to listen to this episode: ClassiCasts is the official podcast of CofC Classics, created and produced in collaboration with Dr. Mike Overholt from the Teaching and Learning Team. Provided below are a Lesson Plan and Listening Guide from Dr. Overholt to incorporate this podcast episode into a class assignment: Episode 2 - Lesson Plan Episode 2 - Listening Guide
https://blogs.cofc.edu/classics/2019/12/09/classicasts-episode-2-ceo-of-colley-intelligence/

blogs.cofc.edu In this episode of ClassiClasts, Dr. Overholt speaks with Ryan Colley, CEO of Colley Intelligence, about about his job and its connection with Classics. Click the playbar below to listen to this ep…

The plague probably didn't wipe out the Roman Empire, new study suggests

cnn.com Plague is often depicted as shifting the course of human history, but scholars say an outbreak that has been blamed for the demise of the Roman Empire likely didn't kill half the world's population in just a few years.