On Friday the 10th March, Francis Holland hosted a Classics Symposium, which was attended by young classicists from all London and the South East. About 85 pupils turned up to hear talks delivered by Professor Robin Osborne and Professor Carrie Vout, both from the University of Cambridge — about life, art and culture in the ancient world.
The talks gave students access to an entirely fresh perspective on Ancient Greek civilisation. Professor Robin Osborne gave an incredibly insightful talk on the lives and roles of Greek women, disparaging a number of common misconceptions which framed women as meek or hidden figures in the classical period. His presentation was extremely detailed, and the entire room was hooked throughout as he delivered a series of novel ideas to his audience. His passion for the subject was truly inspiring, and many in the room were thrilled to be experiencing such a fresh take on the role women in Ancient Greece. The second talk, delivered by Professor Caroline Vout, was a captivating view into standards and styles of ancient art. Delivered with equal parts sagacity and wit, this talk delved into the intricacies of identity as it is presented to us in ancient art. The engaging nature of the talk ensured that the room was captured throughout, and Vout’s passion for the topic was clear as she passed on her abundant knowledge of the topic to her audience.
Hana Preston, Lower Sixth
