A. G. Leventis Ancient Worlds Study Day 2026
Warwick Classics Network A. G. Leventis Ancient Worlds Day 2026
Friday 26th June
The Warwick Classics Network A. G. Leventis Ancient Worlds Day 2026 will take place on Friday 26th June on the Warwick campus. We are inviting students and teachers from across the country to hear talks by our Warwick staff on a range of diverse topics from the ancient world. These talks will be useful to those studying Classical Civilisation and Ancient History GCSE and A-level as well as Classical Languages, but will also give a taste of our own interests and how we teach here at Warwick.
The lectures will be of general interest and can be enjoyed by GCSE/A-level pupils, but please be aware that the sessions will also give an idea of how we teach here at Warwick, so some of the content may be challenging to younger pupils, and not all topics will feed directly into the GCSE and A-level studies. But all talks will broaded pupils' understanding and enjoyment of the ancient world.
There will be two plenary lectures, one to start and one to end the day, with two sets of parallel sessions to attend during the day on a range of topics, with pupils free to attend the talks of their choice.
11-12pm Plenary:
Dr Emmanuela Bakola – Aristophanes rewrites Tragedy: Natural phenomena, Cosmic Justice, and the sinister Clouds
This talk will be a preview to our upcoming production of Aristophanes' Clouds, and will be suitable for anyone with an interest in drama, Greek religion and Greek natural philosophy
12-1pm Parallel Sessions 1:
Dr Jacqui Butler – Myth on mosaics: stories set in stone
Prof David Fearn – Greek literature and the Creativity of Translation
Dr Paul Grigsby – An Odyssey around ancient Greek Religion: What can we learn from Homer about ancient belief?
Chris Parr – Life in the Roman Forum
1-2pm lunch:
Free lunch will be provided for all attendees
2-3pm Parallel Sessions 2:
Dr Emily Clifford - Thinking with Pots and Poetry: The Art of Death
Dr Trevor Van Damme – Excavating Eleon in Boeotia
Prof Zahra Newby - Art, Myth and Identity in Ancient Asia Minor
Prof Victoria Rimell – Social Media, fragmentation, and the Latin epigram', focusing on Martial's books of single couplets, the Xenia and Apophoreta.
3-4pm Plenary Lecture:
Prof Clare Rowan – Uncovering the Workers of Rome
When we think of Rome we think of emperors, armies and gods. But what about everyone else? The taxi drivers, the builders who constructed the Colosseum, the people who worked on the docks, or the shop keepers? This talk explores parts of society often overlooked in Roman histories - the workers who kept Rome moving. We also find out a little bit about the experiences and tricks of Roman workers - for example, having a monkey shop assistant to draw in customers!