Beginnings
What is "Classics"?
Put simply, Classics is the study of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. It encompasses every aspect of these cultures, from daily practices and art, to warfare and religion. Most people think of Julius Caesar or Homer as a frame of reference, and as a starting point, that’s as good as any.
If you’re thinking in terms of classification, ‘Classics’ is the study of the ancient world using source texts in the original languages; while ‘Classical Studies’ is similar, but with the texts in translation. Regardless, the two are often swirled into one concept.
In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in discussion about which cultures the subject should include, and whether we should call it ‘Classics’ at all. A popular alternative which you may see pop up is ‘Critical Ancient World Studies’, a term which seeks to address the colonial nature of some older methods of study.
The ability to explore ancient civilizations in countries like Turkey, Iran, India, and China is increasingly included in such discussions. The field is constantly changing and developing to meet the needs of the modern world and embrace new ideas. That’s why we love it.
Is it still important?
The skillset in Classics is broad. At its core, it includes literature, language, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, archaeology and other disciplines. But Classics is also about critical thinking, analysis of language and evidence, fluency and clarity of written expression, linguistic elasticity, as well as communication and cross-cultural understanding.
Many employers are more interested in the skillsets of candidates than the qualifications they have taken. While certification in Classics (whether at Higher, GCSE, or PhD standard) certainly proves an aptitude in examination, and may help you further your studies, the actual act of studying the subject is what rewards you with an array of valuable life skills.
Classical Studies could lead you to university study, journalism (broadcast and written), law, medicine, philology and languages, computer sciences, engineering, architecture, art, politics, and dozens of other careers – the possibilities are endless.
Few subjects develop such a broad range of academic and practical skills as Classics and Classical Studies do.
What is a “Working Classicist”?
There is a class issue with Classics and Classical Studies. Over the last fifty years, Classical Studies, Latin, and Greek have been gradually phased out of state schools in the United Kingdom. There are lots of reasons for this, and many of them are difficult to tease out, often deeply entwined with other issues.
Prestigious university courses seem to overflow with alumni from independent (private) schools, and this can be hugely alienating for those who went to the local comp. The experience of coming into these courses from the 93% of pupils who are not privately educated in the UK is one whereby they move from being comfortably in the majority, to where they are suddenly the outsider. In such circumstances, outsiders need allies.
To be a Working Classicist is a way for a whole group of people – amateurs, academics and professionals – to identify themselves with pride, and to make connections with others from a similar background. Likewise, it’s a way for people who may not feel like outsiders to show solidarity with their peers from working class backgrounds.
It is a way of overcoming the imposter syndrome which so many classicists from the 93% feel.
It is also for those who may consider themselves socialists, who feel the world can and should be fairer, and who want to see changes in attitudes which have been entrenched over centuries around class-worth, academic opportunity, gender and sexual-orientation prejudice, racism, colonialism, and arbitrary exclusion created by our society and its long-standing institutions.
For more information on how we define class, read our explainer.
We want the field of Classical Studies (and Classics) to better represent the makeup of the population.
It is estimated that 7% of the UK population attend private schools, but the majority of students in our field come into it through connection to the private sector.
This is simply not egalitarian. This is not equality of choice or opportunity.
We believe that whatever background you are from you should be able to pursue an enthusiasm in these subjects, as a hobby, a course of study, or as a profession.
We believe that significant redistribution of the knowledge wealth in this area hinges on developing networks of connection between individuals and organisations who have difficulty in accessing it, and those who are in a position to extend a hand and wish to see the subject thrive.
We believe in socialism in education and opportunity.
We believe that Classics is for everyone.