Classical Languages

The primary goal of the Department of Classical Languages is to develop in its students the ability to read significant works of Greek and Roman authors in the original language. Through the study of the classical languages, students master the richness of English as a language and a literature as well as gain a historical overview of how language and its structures develop and work. At the same time, students also learn some of the arts of precision, self-criticism, and building conceptual models. In advanced courses, contemporary literary criticism is emphasized in class discussions. The department also offers courses in Greek and Latin roots of English, Greek and Roman literature in translation, Greek philosophy, classical archaeology, and classical mythology.

Classical Diploma
The Classical Diploma is awarded to students who successfully complete Greek 130 and Latin 411 or Latin 430. Students must take the last course in the sequence of courses in each language at the Academy in its program offered in Exeter, NH. The standard expectation is that the student take 13 terms of Greek and Latin as counted by Academy courses, but a student who enters the school in grade 10 or later may, if placement precludes reaching Latin 411 or Latin 430, earn a Classical Diploma by successfully completing Greek 130 and Latin 331. Seniors who wish to earn the Classical Diploma but also to participate in the Washington Intern Program or another off-campus, spring term program may do so by successfully completing Latin 421 and Greek 120; students who wish to participate in off-campus programs in the fall or winter of their Senior year should plan to take Greek as Uppers.

Note: Admission to Latin 311 requires the permission of the department. Comparable combinations of Latin and Greek courses will be considered by the department.