Studying the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome is not only of fundamental importance in its own right but also essential for a critical engagement with our own culture. Cambridge is a major centre for the Study of the Classical world, a tradition which has a long history at Caius. John Caius, our second founder, was a notable classical scholar as well as a celebrated physician. He lectured on Aristotle at Padua University after taking his doctorate there in 1541. His remarkable building plan for the College, with its three gates of Humility, Virtue and Honour, which are intended to portray stages in the intellectual journey leading to a degree, reflects the strength of his classical interests. Outstanding classicists educated here since Dr. Caius’ day include the sixteenth–century scholar Jan Gruter, the archaeologist Sir William Ridgeway, and David Shackleton Bailey, editor of Cicero, Horace and Martial.
The teaching pattern consists of language and essay work which are College-based, together with lectures organised by the Faculty. For Part I, there are normally two hours of College teaching per week, with one language session and one essay. Students are usually taught singly or in pairs. Students with reasonably strong languages are encouraged to try composition, translation from English into Latin or Greek, but this remains entirely optional.
For Part II there is roughly one essay session per week, but no language work. Students in Part II have a wide and stimulating field of choice covering all aspects of classical culture. Although the Cambridge system allows the option of combining different subjects in Part I and Part II, in Classics Part II it is possible to include one paper from another Tripos without changing Triposes.
General Information about the course can be found here.
Classics at Caius
Caius normally has six to nine Classics undergraduates, together with one or more postgraduates, forming a friendly and welcoming group within the wider community of Caius. The Director of Studies is Dr Charles Weiss, who specialises in language teaching and the ancient novel. Dr Richard Duncan–Jones is an ancient historian whose work on the Roman Empire is well known. Dr Annabel Brett is a university senior lecturer in political thought and intellectual history, teaching classical philosophy and the history of political thought from Plato to the Renaissance. The Dean of Chapel, Rev Dr Cally Hammond, whose current research interests include the early Christian historians, also contributes to Classics teaching.
The College Library has a large and well–stocked Classics section. Caius has one of the largest surviving medieval collections of any College, which includes important manuscript versions of classical authors. The College has excellent computing facilities providing easy access to library catalogues and teaching material on the internet.
Admissions
Our aim at Caius is to attract students who are passionate about the classical world, whether their primary interest is in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, or in language. If you are considering applying and would like to discuss the options further please contact the Caius Admissions Office.
The normal offer in Classics at Caius is A*AA at A level and the College welcomes applications from strong candidates at every level of language learning; from those who plan to start both Latin and Greek at Cambridge, to those who will be taking A levels in both languages. Those without language A levels should apply for the four year course. Others should apply for the three year course, and those admitted with A level Latin from schools where Greek is not available, or who have done some Greek without taking A level, take the the Faculty’s Intensive Greek course. The College is generally sympathetic to Classics applicants who want to take a gap year.
The main interview is normally with two Fellows in the subject and candidates with Latin may be asked to undertake a brief language test (set centrally by the Classics Faculty and thus standard across all participating Colleges). At interview, it is the case that any knowledge applicants can show of works outside the syllabus is likely to be helpful. Those without Latin applying for the four year course are required to take part in a separate language aptitude assessment at the Classics Faculty.
Before the main interview, all applicants are asked to send samples of marked written work that has been done at school. This provides the interviewers with useful information, and offers a starting point for discussion. In addition to the main interview, all candidates normally have a second interview with one of the College Tutors.
Links that are worth pursuing are the Classics Faculty website and the Fitzwilliam Museum website, especially the Antiquities and the Coins and Medals pages.
