Young
Classicists
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Getting Started
We understand how tricky it can be for parents to help encourage their children’s interest in the ancient world, especially if they have no experience of Classics themselves.
Here we have put together a few suggestions to help you get started. The list is not by any means exhaustive, but it should have enough to give you some ideas. On the desktop site, just hover your mouse over the icon for more information; mobile users need only click the link.
If you’re struggling, then don’t hesitate to contact us or message us on X/Twitter or Bluesky. We’ll do our best to help!
In terms of books, while we recommend a few titles here, Calliope’s Library is an outstanding resource which has a deep reservoir of information about hundreds and hundreds of books set in the ancient world. An excellent place for parents, children, teens and anyone else to find books which are a glove-fit for their tastes.
Of course, you should always check that these things are suited to your child’s age, stage of development and sensitivity.
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What to Read (Kids)
A perfect starting place for young readers. Myths are reduced to a page or two, and there’s plenty of them to get your teeth into!
Colourful scenes with flaps to reveal details of life in Ancient Rome. Bright, clear illustrations show scenes such as a gladiator fight at the Colosseum, the workings of a Roman Bath and the Roman legion defending the farthest reaches of the Empire.
Through the incredible storytelling you can learn about fantastic creatures such as the Japanese baku, the wise Egyptian Sphinx, and the fearsome Minotaur from Greek mythology.
Spanning the life of the Roman leader from his teens to his brutal assassination, and featuring events such as Caesar’s capture by pirates as a young man, his military successes across Europe, encounters with Cleopatra and becoming dictator of Rome.
The year is 50BC, and all Gaul is occupied. Only one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. But how much longer can Asterix, Obelix and their friends resist the mighty Roman legions of Julius Caesar?
This new collection of Aesop's fables is sumptuously illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Each of these timeless stories conveys a message about how to behave towards others. Stories include The Fox and the Crow, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Boy who cried Wolf and The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs.
Apparently the ancient Greeks were a rather groovy bunch. The boys didn't start school until they were seven, and girls didn't have to go at all. But it wasn't always so jolly…
Experience Greece in all its glory as you bow down to gods and goddesses, meet the mythical minotaur, take a trip to a temple, and cross the finish line at the Olympic Games.
All the foul facts about the Ruthless Romans are ready to be uncovered…
23 captivating stories of gods and goddesses from civilisations around the world. Young readers will delight in myths that explain the beginning of the world, the way gods helped humans, the divine's power over weather and other natural phenomena, and much more.
A lively introduction to Latin for children aged 7 and over. Join in the fun with Minimus - a mix of myths, stories, grammar support and historical background!
A Latin word book, illustrated with busy scenes and labelled pictures to help children learn key Latin vocabulary. Contemporary scenes introduce the Latin words for many modern-day objects, bringing the classical language to life.
This Latin edition of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved tale is set in forty-six elegiac couplets, the translation drawing on the language and style of the classical poets to brilliantly capture the rhythm and mischievous spirit of the original story.
This Greek Handwriting Workbook provides guidance for children starting with the Greek alphabet. Not the greatest book, but one in a very small pool available. Includes (modern) Greek words with translation and pronunciation, letter writing practice and word writing practice.
A complete, free, beginner’s course in Classical Greek, written for children by the indefatigable folk at Classics for All. Outstanding stuff. Download the pdf here.
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What to Read (YA)
When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself?
Last year, 17-year-old Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it's his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.
I was just a normal kid, I went to school (got expelled a lot, but that wasn't my fault), played sports and hung out with my best friend.
Until I accidentally vaporized my Maths teacher…
When the dogs on Flavia's street start dying, she is determined to find out who is killing them and why. Her investigation leads her to three extraordinary people: Jonathan, her new neighbor; Nubia, an African slave girl; and Lupus, a mute beggar boy.
When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton sees Lucas Delos for the first time she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.
Shunned even before she was born and destined to live a life of solitude, Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, finds power through her skilled hunting ability and mighty bow. She slays those who wish to do harm to the innocent and takes care of the young and helpless.
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals - well, not so much…
Raised by his mother and tutor, young Theseus finally learns the truth of his birth: he is the son of King Aegeus, ruler of Athens. Armed with his father’s shield, he sets out to claim his birthright and face his greatest challenge—the Minotaur.
Life as a half-mortal teenager should be epic.
But, for Helen Thomas, it's tragic.
It's hard not to feel inferior when your older sister is Aphrodite...
In these two delightful history-mysteries, seven boys in Ancient Rome solve strange crimes . . . thanks to some help from their cranky teacher, a little bit of logic, and a lot of amusing misadventure.
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Days Out
Historic UK have an interactive map to help you find the Roman site nearest to you.
This is a list of the museums in the UK with Roman collections. It is likely to miss some out, but it’s a good starting point.
Across the central belt in Scotland are the remains of the Antonine Wall. Some are excavated, others not, but they provide terrific settings for walks, picnics and outdoor fun.
There are a few sites to take your interest in Wales, but we love Caerleon and its museum.
Not too big, not too small, and plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Across Cumbria and Northumberland is Hadrian’s Wall, the largest Roman site in the UK.
Across it are countless walks, several museums and, of course, Vindolanda.
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Toys
Playmobil have a large-ish range of Greek Myth characters and sets. Can be a little pricey but if you shop around you can find them more modestly priced.
A car or bus journey classic. Top Trumps are a perennial winner, and they even have a few Greece/Rome/Myth themed packs. Worth hunting them out.
A brick, some archaeology tools and some treasure inside! One for budding archaeologists, these Dig It Out sets encourage kids to think about how we recover physical items from the past.
There are plenty of build your own Trojan Horse kits available, but this one allows kids to paint it themselves, and each set comes with TWO.
We’d recommend an adult to assist with this build - plenty of cutting and some fiddly parts - but a lovely project for days when the weather isn’t being helpful.
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Online Games
A fabulous collection of ancient games, suitable for all ages.
The Argo Odyssey from the BBC is a collection of small games threaded with information from ancient Greece.
Make your own pots with this fun reconstruction game from Google.
National Geographic have produced this combination of Mario-esque platforming with ancient Greek quiz questions. All sorts of other bits and pieces for young learners here, too.
Here are a number of games intended to reinforce knowledge about Greek mythology.
A simple noughts and crosses game with some Roman quiz questions.
Bingo with Roman numerals. Simple!
A penalty shootout game with questions about Rome thrown in.
There are a host of Latin learning games here. Some previous learning IS required.
The Roman Baths in Bath have produced this rather snazzy point and click adventure for kids. Good stuff!
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Downloads
A workbook about the Greek gods, aimed at learners aged ten and above
A workbook about Roman mythology, aimed at learners aged ten and above
A workbook about Roman Emperors, aimed at learners aged ten and above
A workbook about Women and Witches in Greek mythology, aimed at learners aged ten and above