University of Canterbury Classics Department

University of Canterbury Classics Department This is the official page for the Department of Classics at the University of Canterbury. In the UC Classics dept.

For past, present and future students, staff and all those interested in the Classical World. In covering the languages, literature, ideas, history and art of ancient Greece and Rome, Classics is a truly wide-ranging, holistic discipline. Students of Classics come into contact with these profoundly sophisticated and influential cultures that confronted issues relevant to us today: political system

s in collapse and the clash of civilisations; questions of cultural identity; the problems of empire and colonialism; intellectual enlightenment and reaction; the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, and more. A critical understanding of the Classical past is not only immensely rewarding in itself, it also gives students a profound understanding of much in the modern world now. Latin and Ancient Greek are taught to enable students to read the literary masterworks of Greece and Rome (Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Vergil, et al.) in the original and to appreciate their broader cultural contexts. Non-language courses on life in the ancient world examine the epic poetry, drama, mythology, art, philosophy and history of the ancient world through translations of the original texts and through material culture; these can be combined with the language courses. A great asset of the UC Classics department is its collection of artefacts from Greece, Rome and elsewhere, known as the James Logie Memorial Collection, now housed in the Teece Museum in the Arts Centre in town. Courses on Greek and Roman art and other areas allow students to work closely with high quality vases, sculptures, mosaics and coins from antiquity, which immeasurably enhance the student experience of the ancient world. For more information, see: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/arts/schools-and-departments/classics/

In a timely reminder that more unites than divides, UC presents a panel discussion on Matariki across cultures. Featurin...
24/06/2026

In a timely reminder that more unites than divides, UC presents a panel discussion on Matariki across cultures. Featuring Professor Te Maire Tau, Ūpoko of Ngāi Tūāhuriri and one of the country's leading tribal historians, and other experts.

On July 7th, UC is presenting a free public talk to celebrate Matariki, hosted by the Arts Centre. 'Under One Sky: Matariki Across Culture' will discuss the importance of the rising of the Pleiades star cluster across various cultures. The talk will feature our very own Enrica Sciarrino, of the UC Classics Department.

UC Presents: Under One Sky: Matariki Across Culture | Matariki 2026
Tue, 7 Jul, 7pm - 8pm NZST
The Great Hall, The Arts Centre
Christchurch, New Zealand
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre

https://events.humanitix.com/uc-presents-under-one-sky-matariki-across-culture-matariki-2026?utm_id=97757_v0_s01_e227_tv2_tp1_a1demo0jelvk0i&fbclid=IwY2xjawSoJoVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeQKhv2RR904DyR2sqKmO0N5OTKtZFqcAjA3D_NiyUtksNoxNVpzbZJrOSwQQ_aem_Rqo8VDpTP3kWhQbtUjjQxg

Public talk: Finding the good lifeShareTue, 14 Jul, 6pm - 8pm NZSTAdd to calendar3 Hereford StreetChristchurch, New Zeal...
24/06/2026

Public talk: Finding the good life
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Tue, 14 Jul, 6pm - 8pm NZST
Add to calendar
3 Hereford Street
Christchurch, New Zealand · Accessibility info
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‘Finding the Good Life’
A free public talk by special guest speaker Dr Steven Kennedy.
This free public lecture will broadly draw on four influential schools of ancient Greek philosophy, each offering a distinctive view of happiness and fulfilment: Plato’s belief in a rational soul seeking truth and knowledge; Aristotle’s vision of flourishing through virtue and active citizenship; Epicurus’ pursuit of simple pleasures, friendship and freedom from fear; and the Stoics’ insistence that peace of mind comes from valuing good character and focusing on what we can control. We will also consider the ideal of the good citizen, linking classical thought to public service and philanthropy, and examining how these responsibilities shaped life in the ancient polis.

Guest speaker Dr. Steven Kennedy is Head of Classics and teaches ancient Greek at Harrow School. He completed his PhD at the University of Exeter and has been teaching at Harrow School for over a decade.

This talk is one of a series presented by the Department of Classics at the University of Canterbury, with the support of the UC Teece Museum.

WHEN: Tuesday 14 July, 6pm. Doors open at 5.45pm.
WHERE: Recital Room, Ground floor, UC Arts city location, 3 Hereford St.

https://events.humanitix.com/public-talk-finding-the-good-life/tickets

16/06/2026
Our thanks to Midori Lindeman - former UC Classics student, who has now completed an MA at Auckland - for her splendid ...
22/05/2026

Our thanks to Midori Lindeman - former UC Classics student, who has now completed an MA at Auckland - for her splendid paper on aspects of Ovid's Ars Amatoria, which was given to members of PhiloLogie after the AGM! We are hoping that such student presentations will become a feature of the pre- or post- AGM rituals in the future...

Coming soon to a theatre near UC. Further evidence, if any were needed, that the influence of Greek myth is - like the v...
18/05/2026

Coming soon to a theatre near UC. Further evidence, if any were needed, that the influence of Greek myth is - like the very labour of Sisyphus (the kinda guy you'd expect to meet in Hadestown) - never ending...

The AGM for The Friends of the James Logie Memorial Collection (=PhiloLogie) will be held on Thursday May 21st at 5.30 p...
11/05/2026

The AGM for The Friends of the James Logie Memorial Collection (=PhiloLogie) will be held on Thursday May 21st at 5.30 pm in the Camerata Room at the Arts Centre, 3 Hereford St.

New members are welcome to sign up and attend!

PhiloLogie's Objectives
- to promote public support for the Logie Collection
- to encourage research and use of the Collection
- to encourage development of the collection through donations and purchases
- to hold periodic meetings, talks and produce publications

As a member of PhiloLogie you will receive:
• Invitations to guest lectures and talks by visiting scholars.
• Private ‘behind the scenes’ tours with the Curators.
• Invitations to exhibition openings and special events.
• The PhiloLogie newsletter.
• Discounts on Logie Collection merchandise, including
Catalogues.

To join PhiloLogie, download and complete the application form, or contact the Secretary .

PhiloLogie Brochure and Application Form (PDF, 294KB)
https://teecemuseum.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PhiloLogiebrochure-2026.pdf

Felicem diem Natalem Romae, Urbi Aeternae. 🥂🎉On this day, 21. 4. 753 BC, according to legend, the city of Rome was found...
22/04/2026

Felicem diem Natalem Romae, Urbi Aeternae. 🥂🎉
On this day, 21. 4. 753 BC, according to legend, the city of Rome was founded. The Romans counted years Ab Urbe condita (From the founding of the City), which was abbreviated A.U.C.
The work of the same name by the historian Titus Livius is the main source for legends from early Roman history.
Roma, Urbs aeterna, felicem diem natalem! 🎂🥂💖

To all the UC Graduands, soon to become Graduates at ceremonies to be held this week - and we especially include those f...
14/04/2026

To all the UC Graduands, soon to become Graduates at ceremonies to be held this week - and we especially include those from the Classics Department - CONGRATULATIONS! A great occasion to celebrate with your genos, gens, whanau and more.... Well done on achieving this milestone and all best wishes as you contemplate the future before you! Onward to the next stage of the Cursus Honorum! As the Greeks would say, EUGE!

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UC Arts In The Arts Centre, 3 Hereford Street
Christchurch
8013

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