On 9 March, Paul Cartledge (Professor Emeritus of Greek Culture at the University of Cambridge), a long time friend of the LSA CA, joined us online to deliver a captivating insight into what love - and sex - meant in ancient Sparta: Eminent historian Professor Cartledge introduced us to Sparta’s distinctive culture, with a focus … Continue reading Life – and Love – in Ancient Sparta

Professor Dominic Perring, former Director of the University College London's Institute of Archaeology, visited the LSA CA in February to give us a fascinating insight into the complex history of London, as Classics Ambassador Sophie B recounts. I had the pleasure of attending Dominic Perring’s fascinating lecture on London in the Roman World, the title … Continue reading London in the Roman World

Earlier this month, more than 220 LSA CA members came together to ring in the New Year in the excellent company of our President Professor Michael Scott. Classics Ambassador Brendon L describes the voyage that Professor Scott took us on to discover where ‘X Marks the Spot’ – the title of Michael’s forthcoming book, focusing … Continue reading X Marks the Spot: a trip to South America

This is the first instalment in a series of articles by Classics Ambassador Ffion Shute introducing lesser-known Roman authors. The series will cover forgotten gems ranging from history to architecture to military tactics, whose authors deserve to be more widely known. Strictly no Cicero or Tacitus here: these articles will help you to know your … Continue reading Know Your Frontinus From Your Fronto!

This November, it was a pleasure to welcome author and journalist Bronwen Riley to the Association and back to her roots on the Fylde Coast, as she led us on a fascinating ancient journey from Rome to Britannia. Classics Ambassador Caroline summarises her excellent talk: Bronwen began her lecture by setting the scene and establishing … Continue reading From Rome to Britannia – a journey with Bronwen Riley

On Thursday 13th October, Professor MM McCabe, Emerita Professor at King’s College London and Honorary Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, delivered an insightful lecture on Plato and his masterpiece: The Republic. Classics Ambassador Caroline J examines the CA Honorary President's excellent talk. Having established the structure of the text, Professor McCabe discussed what is, arguably, … Continue reading Plato and Us: out of the Cave

Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii’s archaeological park, delivered the 26th Denys Haynes Memorial Lecture at the British Museum in September 2022. Classics Ambassador Ffion Shute was there for us. Dr Zuchtriegel was appointed director of the archaeological park at Pompeii last year and is overseeing on-going excavations in several parts of the ancient … Continue reading Freedmen and Slaves in Pompeii: new discoveries

Classics Ambassador, Sophie Bassano, brilliantly recaps the opening lecture of our 2022-23 season. On Thursday 29 September, Tristan Hughes, host of ‘The Ancients’ history podcast and author of the acclaimed ‘The Perdiccas Years, 323-320 BC: Alexander’s Successors at War’, delivered an impressive lecture highlighting the turbulent and violent years succeeding Alexander the Great’s death. Although … Continue reading Life After Alexander

Tros Anchisiade, facilis descensus Averno:noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis;sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras,hoc opus, hic labor est. 'Trojan, son of Anchises,It is easy to descend into Avernus.Death's dark door stands open day and night.But to retrace your steps and get back to upper air,That is the task, that is the undertaking'- … Continue reading A Final Foray – Seamus Heaney on Virgil’s Aeneid

Our final lecture of the 2021-22 season was delivered by the fabulous Dr Paul Roberts, Sackler Keeper of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Classics Ambassador Ruth W recaps his brilliant talk: Last Supper in Pompeii, as well as the title of this lecture, was the name of the hugely successful and fascinating exhibition … Continue reading Last Supper in Pompeii