Studying classics at university means spending at least three years of your life explaining to people what a classics degree actually involves.
No, you say, it’s not the same as studying history, or English either.
No, it doesn’t mean you spend your entire day looking at fragments of Greek urns that were discovered by archaeologists or learning how to hold a conversation in Latin.
And, no, it doesn’t mean you’ve ruined any chance of a good career compared to people who chose to study medicine, law, engineering or anything else that’s more obviously related to a real-world job.
Studying classics is so much more than all of these stereotypes, which is why later this month we’re launching our first-ever ranking of the best universities in the world for studying classics & ancient history.
Before we reveal which universities have come out on top, let’s run down some of the things which unite every classics student around the world.
It’s not a proper night out unless you’re wearing a toga
Other subjects can talk all they want about their amazing socials, but let’s face it: nothing beats a classics toga party.
Unlike most fancy dress, there’s something about even a poorly tied toga made out of an old bedsheet that looks positively regal. Plus, it’s instantly obvious what you’re wearing from a mile away, avoiding the awkward conversations that crop up almost any other time there’s a fancy-dress theme at uni.
Sure, wearing a bedsheet on a night out is super impractical and it always ends with the bottom half covered in dirt and the top half covered in spilled alcohol, but once you get past the fact you’ve got nowhere to put your phone it’s definitely one of the best fancy dress themes.
You love Disney’s Hercules…even if the mythology isn’t actually accurate
Yes, OK, it’s pretty ridiculous that Disney went and made a film about Greek gods and used the name Hercules instead of Heracles, but you can get past that. After all, it’s not every day you get to watch Hades unleash the Titans, or the twelve labors of Hercules, or OH-MY-GOSH-PEGASUS-IS-SO-ADORABLE-I-WANT-ONE!
Let’s face it, there’s no way this film stands up to even the slightest bit of scrutiny but it’s at least 70 percent responsible for why you’re now here studying classics.
At least one friend can’t stop saying ‘THIS IS SPARTA!!’
And no matter how much you tell them it isn’t funny, they just won’t stop.
Learning Latin and ancient Greek is just as useful as learning a modern language
Despite all the snark you keep getting from other students, there are actually lots of benefits to learning Latin and ancient Greek. OK, you won’t be holding a conversation with anyone any time soon, but you’ve now got the ability to read and understand some of the most important written texts in history without relying on distorted translations. How is that not just as useful as being able to speak French?
Speaking of dead languages…
Jokes about sex are funnier if they’re in Latin
It can’t be helped. Learning rude words in another language will always be one of the first things you do, and it just so happens that jokes about sex and comedic insults are much funnier if they’re in Latin.
You’ll never have to stop defending your choice of subject to family members
As well as the joys of Plato or the democratic systems of ancient Rome, why you chose to study classics is something your family will never be able to understand. You’re paying how much a year in fees to study what?
Eventually your parents start to get on board with the idea and even plan a family holiday somewhere with ruins because they think that’s what you like now, but they’re never really going to get it. Here’s hoping you at least get a decent enough job that they don’t keep mentioning it for the rest of your life.
Getting a first in Classics isn’t actually easier than other degrees
By now, you’re probably fed up of people looking at the amount of contact hours you have with your tutors and coming to the conclusion you must have an easier degree than them. Just because you’re not sat in a lab for six hours every day looking at test tubes doesn’t mean you’re not working hard.
Studying classics requires self-discipline, the ability to research and analyze and a strong eye for detail. The fact it also allows you to stay in bed until at least 10am every day doesn’t mean your life’s easier.
Sometimes, you can’t help but think life would be easier if you lived in ancient Rome
Ahhh, ancient Rome. A society that gave the world the aqueduct, sanitation, roads, irrigation, medicine, education, health, wine, public baths, streets that were safe at night and peace.
Let’s face it, there are times when walking around a Roman forum with friends, all of you in your best sandals, or going to the Circus Maximus to watch the chariot racing seems positively idyllic compared to another all-nighter in the library to finish your latest essay.
Unfortunately, you always have to forget your time traveling dreams and settle for the next best thing. Don’t suppose Hercules is on Netflix?
Lead image: Garry Knight (Flickr)
