The Annual Sixth Form Classics Conference was held Friday 7th November at the Harrodian School, where those attending the conference were graced by presentations from four esteemed speakers:

Professor Armand D’Angour of Jesus College, Oxford

Professor Richard Jenkyns of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, 

Dr Rosie Wyles of the University of Kent,  

Dr Mairéad McAuley of University College London

 

Professor D’Angour gave a fascinating overview of his work on recreating the music of the ancient world, discussing the process of bringing these classical texts back to life. Particularly interesting was his explanation of how he restorated parts of Euripides’ Orestes, referencing texts that inform classicists what notation on Chorus sheets meant, and walking the audience through the process of rewriting music based on the available language and notes. He recounted how he played Greek music on his piano, singing along until he felt he fully understood what Greek music sounded like, then returning to his restoration. 

 

Professor Jenkyns explored the seemingly contradictory depiction of women in the works of Homer and Virgil, assessing their position as bringers of conflict and chaos in contrast to Greek expectations of feminine domesticity. A particularly interesting point he explored was the difference between Creusa and Dido, as Creusa’s wraith greets Aeneas with a mysterious beauty - both her and not - and consoles him in her final wifely duty, whilst Dido seems to demand love, not confident in her ability to hold Aeneas’. Most notable about Jenkyns’ presentation was his engagement in discussion with the audience, exploring very evocative questions with in-depth and highly specific analysis to give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge on some of the most influential works of literature ever written - the epics  the Odyssey, the Iliad, and the Aeneid.

 

Dr Rosie Wyles was surprisingly joyous in her presentation on the sheer brutality of violence in Athens and how this enforced civic identity. She took the audience on a treasure-hunt-esque journey through a long list of sources that constantly folded in one one another to build up a reality detailed and powerful image of the role militarism played in Athenian society. She made it clear that violence was truly entrenched in the system, as it was a vital element to the state’s ability to enforce itself, necessary for protecting democracy from tyrants that threatened to undo it. Such was the state that potentially moulded the goddess Athena into the roles of both wisdom, reflecting democracy, and military victory, reflecting the manner in which democracy may be enforced. Not only this, but she gave us wonderful insight into a culture that idolised warriors in drinking songs and art, hailing heroes as role models, grooming men into willingness to die for their country. 

 

Dr Mariréad McAulely sadly could not attend in person, though she touched on incredibly interesting aspects of gender and sexuality in antiquity. Particularly intriguing was the analysis of gender roles which were largely based in language: masculine words were active whilst feminine words were passive, thus gender roles were attributed to how active one was. This was rather shocking considering it alters contemporary perception of sexuality completely, as sex was purely about penetration, with active penetration placing one in a masculine role and a position of social supremacy. Masculinity demanded ‘activity’, usually for the state, psychological hardness, and aggressive competition. Her speech seemed to suggest there was fundamental genderfluidity in the mythos of classical civilisation, stemming from mankind's separation into man and woman by Zeus, always longing for their other half to feel complete, though religious rituals and art offered an opportunity to express a subverted gender feelings within. 

The day was truly a wonderful opportunity for classics students to engage with their subject in more depth, ask experts questions to broaden their understanding of the literature and culture, and socialise with those from other schools with similar passions. The topics spoken on were wonderfully subversive and shed new light on topics of interest in the field of classics