For general introductory reading and some translations of classical texts, see the 'AHCA/CC reading listLink opens in a new window'. The information below is primarily relating to study of Greek and Latin language.

The most useful thing you can do over the summer is not to forget your Latin and/or Greek! The module which you embark upon in the autumn will depend upon your level of language attainment so far as follows:

• A Level Latin = Latin Literary Texts ; for details of texts see the syllabus.
• A Level Greek = Greek Literary Texts. For the details of texts, see the syllabus.
• GCSE Latin = Latin Language 2 (possibly with Latin Lang 1 as a refresher first)
• GCSE Greek = Greek Language 2 (possible with Greek Lang 1 as a refresher first)
• Beginners' Greek = Greek Language 1
• Beginners' Latin = Latin Language 1

Click on the links above to find out what you can do over the summer to help ease your way into life in the first-year. Students may also contact the module teacher by email for advice on further reading, or if they have any questions about the module

If you will be starting Classical Greek from scratch, you might like to get ahead by learning the alphabet. Some letters may already be familiar to you, such as pi used in maths, or alpha and omega, as used in Christian contexts, but there's a fun interactive programme available online at the Open University designed to introduce you to the ancient Greek alphabet.

For background reading, we recommend for stimulating reads:

Please note that these are available in the library and do not need to be purchased in advance.

• Barchiesi, A. and Scheidel, W., The Oxford Handbook of Roman Studies (Oxford University Press, 2010)
• Cartledge, P. The Greeks. A Portrait of Self and Others (Oxford University Press 2002)
• Lane Fox, R. The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian (Penguin 2006)