classics

Hocbigg - Classics

Path to a free self-taught education in Classics!

Contents

Summary

The Classics curriculum is a complete education in Classics using online materials.

Note: When there are courses or books that don’t fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings or extras/other_curricula.

Process. Students can work through the curriculum alone or in groups, in order or out of order.

How to contribute

Communities

Online Communities for Classics

Curriculum

Intro

Foundations of the Classical World

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Introduction to Classics Understand the scope, methodologies, and subfields of classical studies; learn how scholars reconstruct antiquity from fragmentary evidence. Classics: A Very Short Introduction by Mary Beard and John Henderson Introduction to Ancient Greek History (Open Yale Courses)
Ancient Greek I Begin foundational training in Ancient Greek grammar, vocabulary, and reading strategies—essential for accessing original texts. Athenaze: An Introduction to Ancient Greek (Vol. I) by Maurice Balme & James Morwood  
Latin I Begin foundational training in Latin grammar, vocabulary, and syntax—critical for historical, literary, and philosophical sources. Lingua Latina per se Illustrata, Pars I: Familia Romana by Hans Ørberg Beginning Latin (Harvard Division of Continuing Education)
Survey of Greek & Roman History Gain chronological and geographical fluency in major political, military, and social developments from Bronze Age Greece to Late Antiquity. The Western Heritage by Donald Kagan et al. The Ancient World: Greece (MIT OCW)
Classical Mythology & Religion Explore core mythological narratives and religious practices as frameworks for understanding literature, art, and identity in antiquity. The Greek Myths by Robert Graves (for narrative); Greek Religion by Walter Burkert (scholarly) The Ancient Greek Hero (HarvardX/edX)

Core

Language & Textual Mastery

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Ancient Greek II Advance to reading unadapted prose (e.g., Herodotus, Plato) and poetic texts (e.g., Homer) with grammatical precision and interpretive awareness. Reading Greek (2nd ed.) by Joint Association of Classical Teachers Intermediate Ancient Greek (Harvard/Brandeis YouTube series)
Latin II Read authentic Latin texts (e.g., Caesar, Cicero, Virgil) with fluency, focusing on syntax, style, and rhetorical devices. Wheelock’s Latin (7th ed.) by Frederic M. Wheelock Latin Reading Practice (Latintutorial YouTube channel)
Textual Criticism & Philology Learn how classical texts are edited, transmitted, and interpreted; understand manuscript traditions and editorial conventions. Textual Criticism and Editorial Technique by G. Thomas Tanselle Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism (Daniel Wallace lecture series)

Literature & Thought

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Greek Literature Analyze major genres (epic, tragedy, comedy, historiography, philosophy) and their socio-political contexts. A Handbook to Literature by William Harmon (for literary theory); primary texts via Loeb or Perseus The Ancient Greek Hero (HarvardX)
Latin Literature Study canonical Roman authors across genres, examining themes of empire, identity, and morality. Latin Literature: A History by Gian Biagio Conte Roman Art and Archaeology (Coursera)
Ancient Philosophy Engage with key philosophical schools (Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Skepticism) and their ethical, metaphysical, and epistemological arguments. Ancient Philosophy: A New History of Western Philosophy, Vol. 1 by Anthony Kenny Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors (Coursera)

History & Material Culture

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Greek History (Archaic to Hellenistic) Examine the development of the polis, democracy, warfare, colonization, and cultural exchange. A Brief History of Ancient Greece by Sarah B. Pomeroy et al. Introduction to Ancient Greek History (Open Yale Courses)
Roman History (Republic to Empire) Trace Rome’s transformation from city-state to empire, analyzing institutions, social structures, and imperial ideology. The Romans: From Village to Empire by Mary T. Boatwright et al. The Ancient World: Rome (MIT OCW)
Classical Archaeology & Art Interpret material remains (architecture, sculpture, pottery, urban planning) as primary evidence for daily life, ritual, and power. The Archaeology of Greece by William R. Biers Roman Architecture (Coursera)

Advanced

Literature and Poetics

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Epic Poetry Study Homer’s Iliad/Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid in depth: structure, intertextuality, heroism, and cultural memory. The Cambridge Companion to Homer (ed. Robert Fowler) The Ancient Greek Hero (HarvardX)
Greek Tragedy & Comedy Analyze dramatic form, performance context, and philosophical themes in Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. Greek Tragedy by John Gould; The Cambridge Companion to Greek Comedy (ed. Martin Revermann) Reading Greek Tragedy Online (Center for Hellenic Studies YouTube playlist)
Roman Elegy & Satire Explore personal and political voice in poets like Ovid, Propertius, Horace, and Juvenal. Latin Love Elegy by Niklas Holzberg The Cambridge Companion to Roman Satire (online excerpts and lectures)
Reception Studies Examine how classical texts have been interpreted, adapted, and contested from Late Antiquity to the modern era. Classical Reception Studies by Lorna Hardwick & Christopher Stray Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature (Harvard Online)

History and Society

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Ancient Economy & Daily Life Investigate trade, labor, slavery, gender roles, family structures, and urban/rural dynamics. The Ancient Economy by Moses Finley Roman Art and Archaeology (Coursera)
Law & Political Thought Study Roman law, Greek political theory (e.g., Plato’s Republic, Aristotle’s Politics), and governance models. Roman Law: An Historical Introduction by Hans Julius Wolff History of Roman Law (edX/FedericaX)
Late Antiquity Analyze the transformation of the classical world under Christianity, migration, and imperial decline (3rd–7th c. CE). A History of Late Antiquity by Averil Cameron Late Antiquity: Crisis and Transformation (The Great Courses)
Numismatics & Epigraphy Learn to interpret coins, inscriptions, and papyri as historical sources. Greek and Latin Inscriptions by J. E. Sandys (public domain) Epigraphy Lectures via Perseus

Philosophy and Intellectual History

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Plato & the Dialogues Close reading of major dialogues; explore Socratic method, theory of forms, and political philosophy. Plato: Complete Works (ed. J. M. Cooper) Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors (Coursera)
Aristotle’s System Study logic, ethics, metaphysics, and natural philosophy in Aristotle’s corpus. The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle (ed. Jonathan Barnes) Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors (Coursera)
Hellenistic Philosophy Compare Stoic, Epicurean, and Skeptical responses to ethics, knowledge, and the good life. Hellenistic Philosophy by A. A. Long Same as Aristotle MOOC (covers successors)
Neoplatonism & Early Christian Thought Trace philosophical synthesis in figures like Plotinus and Augustine. Plotinus: Enneads (trans. A. H. Armstrong); Augustine: Confessions Philosophy and History of Christian Thought

Capstone

Subject Why study? Book Videos
Capstone Project Produce a research thesis, annotated translation, or multimedia project using primary sources and scholarly methods. The Chicago Manual of Style (for formatting); Writing for Classicists by Gillian Clark Research Methods in Classics (MIT OCW) (use general humanities research guides)

Note: Free primary texts are available via:

Congratulations

After completing the requirements of the curriculum above, you will have completed the equivalent of a full bachelor’s degree in Classics. Congratulations!

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