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About

Classics is by nature multidisciplinary, bringing together the study of the language and literature, philosophy, history, art history and archaeology of the Greek and Roman world. Classics at Trinity has a long and distinguished history, numbering Oscar Wilde among its famous past students. The Department is committed to excellence in both teaching and research; it is unique in Ireland in having separate Chairs in Greek and in Latin, and in offering a specialised programme in Ancient History and Archaeology. Staff expertise spans fields as diverse as Bronze Age archaeology, Greek philosophy and the reception of ancient thought, Hellenistic poetry and history, Early Latin, classical Latin poetry, Roman construction, and late Roman history and culture.

Our wide range of undergraduate degrees offers the opportunity to explore Greek and Roman civilisation according to your particular interests. Our integrated programme in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology allows you to specialise in ancient Greek and Latin, in the history and material culture or the literature and thought of the ancient world; Ancient History and Archaeology, Classical Civilisation and Classical Languages (Greek or Latin) can also be combined with another subject within the Joint Honors programme. Our graduates are employed as university lecturers, school teachers, archaeologists, museum curators, in arts and heritage management and in many other careers including the diplomatic service, law, publishing and business.

The Department is also home to a thriving community of postgraduate students, enrolled in our MPhil programme or doing research on a wide range of literary, historical, archaeological and philosophical topics. We hold regular research seminars, and participate in a number of networks and collaborative research projects.

We enjoy close connections with many departments within Trinity and have strong international links with a number of Classics departments abroad through the EU Erasmus exchange programme.

Two student societies, the DU Classical Society and the DU Archaeological Society, are closely affiliated with the Department: both organise a wide range of activities, from social events such as parties and film shows to guest speakers and tours of Classical sites.