Classics at Dauntsey’s is the study of Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation. In Latin, we study the language and literature of Rome; and in Classical Civilisation we study the history, culture and literature (in translation) of the Ancient World

Latin is studied by all the First Form along with French, German and Spanish: pupils then choose two languages to study in the Second and Third Form: we welcome any keen enthusiast!

Third years can then choose either Latin or Classical Civilisation. This year, Latin GCSE candidates are reading about Germanicus, the Emperor’s heir, and the Fall of Troy; while Class civvers are learning about Greek and Roman gods, temples and festivals, and also about The Mycenaean World, and Odysseus.

Fifth years who move up to Latin A-Level read Tacitus on Rome, and Virgil’s Aeneid; while Classical civilisation students learn about the world of the Hero, Greek theatre and Love & Relationships. Greek is now offered on-timetable in the Sixth form, and there will be a class next year.

In addition to all this academia, we also run a few Lower School clubs: a Tales from Troy club, where pupils read The Iliad (in translation), and do a bit of sword-fighting; an Odyssey club, where pupils read the Odyssey (in translation), and act out some of the scenes, including making pigs’ noses; and a Ballistas club, where pupils have, so far, made a ballista, a gladiator, a gladiator’s helmet, and a Roman villa and fort.

Finally, we aim to support pupils’ learning through a range of other avenues; inter alia (that is yer actual Latin), First form have staged an Ancient Greek tragedy; Second form have made their own group mosaic of Medusa (depicted); Third form visit Bath to decipher the curse tablets; and GCSE and A-level pupils take part in a Latin Speaking competition and attend lectures, both run by the Salisbury Classical Association. On the Foreign trip front, we have visited Sicily (2014), Rome (2015), Greece (2016), Pompeii (2020), and Hadrian’s Wall (2022). A return to Greece is next in our sights.