The Oxbridge Classics Reading List
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
As an aspiring Oxbridge Classicist, reading texts in your own first language (probably, although not necessarily English, if you're reading this!) as well as in Latin and possibly Greek (depending on which languages you already know or want to start) is a must. The Classics courses are marvellously wide-ranging, covering a plethora of Arts, Humanities and Languages strands, so having some idea of exactly where your passions lie is something that can be discovered by reading dilettante-style, a little bit of everything. That's what Classicists are, after all, aren't they?
A little bit of Latin
I would recommend some of Ovid's Heroides (imagined letters from abandoned female protagonists from myth and history) to supplement the Ovid you are doing for A level. It shows a different side to him, the Latin is not too challenging and besides the inimitable comedy genius and Classics extraordinaire Nathalie Haynes did some fantastic podcasts on them during the Covid lockdowns, aptly named #OvidNotCovid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aPMmT5zjNQ). She has also written some cracking novels inspired by mythology and presents Stand Up For Classics comedy show on Radio 4.
A little bit of Greek
If you have A level you could explore some different short plays by Euripides - some of these are set for A level but others not. You could choose from Medea, The Bacchae or Hippolytus.
A little bit of Ancient History
Any of Mary Beard's brilliant tomes are a good place to start, with SPQR (about Rome), my personal favourite, followed by her short pamphlet Women & Power. Also good ahead of Gender Studies modules.
A little bit of Art & Architecture
Enter the Beard Classical universe by seeing her in action analysing sculpture, wall paintings etc in conversation with Simon Schama and David Olusoga (Civilisations, 2018, BBC). She also wrote a great book with a boring name on Athena's iconic temple in Athens (it's called 'Parthenon')
A little bit of Philosophy
On a personal note I have a bit of an obsession with Aristotle, despite the controversy surrounding his scandalous comments about the female sex. Edith Hall wrote a fantastic, accessible and thought-provoking book called 'Aristotle's Way' which puts his thoughts in a contemporary context and will make you realise what an amazing era was the 5th century Greece in which he lived - and how much we have in common on our thinking about what is valuable in life. Hall has also written about Greek Tragedy.
A little bit of Philology (history of language)
David Crystal is a good writer on this topic. If you have Linguistics Olympiad group at your school or nearby it might be fun to get involved - communicating in made-up languages was never such a laugh, and good for exercising those linguistic muscles that you will certainly need if you are going to be learning Latin, Greek or any of the other cool languages on offer!
So whether you are into your Latin, Greek, History, Art, Philosophy or Language Theory, Classics has lots to offer and there are some great contemporary Classicist champions out there to guide you on your way through this reading 'Odyssey' - and our tutors are of course included in that rare and brilliant category!
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