What do you think a Classics major does? Read classic novels like Pride and Prejudice? Study classic artwork like the Mona Lisa? Is a Classics major even a real thing?
Indeed it is. Yours truly has studied Classics since high school, and I have been surprised to find that few people know what I even do for my major. Part of what I do is learning languages; both Latin and Ancient Greek count toward the major, but I chose to focus solely on Latin because I enjoy it more. I’ve read works written by Livy, Cicero, Julius Caesar, and other ancient writers. Latin was what got me into Classics in the first place—I’ve taken it since ninth grade, and I fell in love with being able to read poems and stories that were written two thousand years ago.
The other part of the major is ancient history, specifically during the times of Ancient Greece and Rome. I haven’t been able to take all of the history classes I’ve wanted to because of scheduling conflicts, but I was able to take Mythology, Ancient Greek Art and Archaeology, and Roman History. I even got to travel abroad to Greece and see in person all of the famous places I’ve read about from ancient authors, as well as learn a little Modern Greek.
It’s kind of hard to explain my attraction to languages and ancient history, but I’ve started to realize that I enjoy making connections between the ancient world and today. Latin words make up the roots of so many words in the English language, and it’s so interesting to be able to make those connections on your own. I also just find much of ancient history entertaining. Learning about the Roman emperors, like when the emperor Caligula declared war on the ocean and made his horse a senator of Rome (true story), can be quite amusing.
Sometimes it’s hard to explain when people ask me what I study. I might say international studies, which is my minor. Other times I get teased (always in good fun), but it gets annoying to have to explain to every person who asks what you do. Saying “I read Latin and study ancient history” just doesn’t cut it for most people, who give me weird smirks or condescendingly ask what I’m going to do about a job. They always ask, “What are you going to do with a Classics degree? Become a teacher? Work in a museum?” Most think those are really the only options for someone like me. In reality, I think a Classics degree is one of the most versatile educations you can receive. Translating languages teaches you patience and trains your mind to solve the bigger picture instead of just looking at a single word. I think ancient history is so critical to today’s world because the similarities are astounding. People today could learn a lot by just studying the actions and words of ancient Greeks and Romans. Many Classics majors have gone on to do amazing things, some of them in fields that have nothing to do with Classics (Chris Martin of Coldplay? He’s a Classics major). So, to be honest, I’m not at all worried about what my future as a Classics major holds.
So what else is there to tell? I’m obsessed with both the movies Troy and Gladiator, I can’t watch Disney’s Hercules without pointing out all of the historical inaccuracies in my head, and, looking back, I honestly would never have changed my major if given the chance.