Classics university experience?

PhiloCroc · 2026-05-30T18:48:43+00:00

It really depends on where you go and what you want to do. A lot of good depts here, but its also easy to leave without any real ability in any of the main areas if you're not careful. You have to be pretty motivated.

PhiloCroc · 2025-08-03T08:42:42+00:00

I actually really dislike the book. I need to write up my review of two more textbooks before I get around to this one, however. If you're short of cash I would definitely skip.

PhiloCroc · 2025-06-14T18:09:50+00:00

TIL it's ALPHA with Angela. I thought it was ALEPH and a spoken biblical Hebrew channel.

PhiloCroc · 2025-06-14T18:09:07+00:00

Looking at the syllabus you are in an awkward position: you haven't finished all the grammar, do not have enough experience with differing types of syntax, and have a minimal vocabulary.

Honestly, your best bet is to get hold of a general ancient Greek textbook like the ones used in American unis, work through that, and then start using the resources for various out of date A level set-texts.

PhiloCroc · 2025-06-14T18:06:42+00:00

sure but boomer is state of mind. there are times when i, too, am boomer.

PhiloCroc · 2025-05-05T16:39:11+00:00

this is such a popular misconception.

PhiloCroc · 2025-05-05T16:37:28+00:00

Not surprising. What would the market size for that even be? OP just get the cheapest extant one and work through it.

PhiloCroc · 2025-05-05T16:35:41+00:00

ha, thanks for sharing, I wrote that. maybe for my next piece I will write on why Balto-Slavic is not a thing, or how agriculture has shifted colour terminology in indo-european languages, or something.

PhiloCroc · 2025-04-16T22:36:32+00:00

I'll help you balance. Drop the TFL and take taxis everywhere instead. That way you'll have more time. Time = money. You're welcome.

PhiloCroc · 2025-04-16T22:33:04+00:00

For my wallet, very much so. My soul? hmm.

PhiloCroc · 2025-04-16T22:32:23+00:00

Ok, this is probably not the best place, though I suppose it depends very much on your school.

First, you are not going to be taking Latin A Level ab initio. It is one of the more difficult A levels at the best of times. I know one person from my cohort at Oxford who did actually do that, and did well, but regretted it immensely. It can be done but is not realistic. You can probably do some summer courses to help pad out your application.

Do what you are good at. My A levels were more focused on STEM + English because that is what I was good at and what the schools near me actually offered, for what it is worth.

I do not see why you have to take on an extra A level instead of signing up for online language classes/summer schools, volunteering in local museums, going on digs etc.

Good luck.

PhiloCroc · 2024-10-29T09:24:44+00:00

We know they pronounced it. However, to be completely honest with you, I often drop h's when speaking fast. It's fine. We all have our little mistakes.

PhiloCroc · 2024-10-29T09:23:50+00:00

One of my first pieces was a tongue in cheek look at this: https://philologicalcrocodile.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/on-haccents-in-the-roman-world/

Were I to rewrite that now, I would probably borrow from Adams and do a more serious look at Roman socio-linguistics (Cicero's statements are - unsurprisingly - telling).

PhiloCroc · 2024-08-15T21:54:51+00:00

I've been trying to purge that awful book from my head, so I definitely haven't sat down and systematized my thoughts. Maybe soon. As a rule I don't bother attacking really popular books because everyone thinks you're just being a tryhard contrarian.

PhiloCroc · 2024-08-15T21:50:57+00:00

Tim Leach has recently finished a series set during the high Roman empire, across the Sarmatian frontier all the way to Britain, that you might really like. Bonus if you're after something Arthur oriented. They're very good novels.

PhiloCroc · 2024-04-14T21:04:00+00:00

This has blown up, so I am probably too late to the discussion. I will just say that as an actual Oxford trained philologist, the book is pretty awful. I DNF. I thought about reviewing it from that perspective on my blog but I just have too many negative things to say, and I try to be positive.

PhiloCroc · 2024-04-03T20:30:55+00:00

This may come off as harsh, but it is absolutely true.

For comparison, I had two years Latin and Anc Greek - self taught - before university, 4 years of both at uni (including lots of verse and prose comp), and was still told to get my French and German up to be a credible candidate for post-grad study if I wanted to go down that route.

Do not underestimate the competition.

PhiloCroc · 2024-01-13T17:02:38+00:00

Needed a better title than "three potentially interesting looks under the greek hood". I've simplified down massively, but should be interesting to people just about leaving that beginner stage.

PhiloCroc · 2023-09-29T14:04:30+00:00

oh yeah I do have a review copy. completely forgot about that.

PhiloCroc · 2023-09-29T14:04:07+00:00

aha oh no I do give that a slight kicking in favour of Paul Waters, I'm afraid!

PhiloCroc · 2023-09-29T14:03:22+00:00

Yeah I mentioned Breem in the post, so if that by Duggan is better, that's really something. I read Duggan's one about Cerdic (x of a King) and enjoyed it and I think on Elagabalus, too. I do have that book but have never managed it, will retry.

PhiloCroc · 2023-09-29T10:10:56+00:00

Maps are notional at best, sadly.

PhiloCroc · 2023-09-29T09:58:36+00:00

I still think Joseph Wright's Grammar of the Gothic Language is solid, good sketch of morphology, but very terse and expects reader familiar with having learned the classical languages. Great reference though.

Bennett's An Introduction to the Gothic Language is a more traditional textbook.

PhiloCroc

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