GETTING STARTED WITH THE ANCIENT WORLD
We’ve gathered a selection of websites, courses, podcasts, and tools to help you explore the ancient world. Whether you’re new or already passionate about Classics, we hope these resources inspire you.
If you discover something we’ve missed, we’d love to hear from you - let us know, and we’ll be happy to update the list.
ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS
FREE SHORT COURSES BY THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
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Introducing the Classical World (The Open University)
Introduction to how sources are used in the studies of the classical world including the geography of the ancient world
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Exploring Ancient Greek religion (The Open University)
Looks at complex relationship between politics and religion in the ancient Greek world by looking at texts and visual evidence
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Exploring Homer's Odyssey (The Open University)
Introduction to Homer's ancient Greek poem which tells of Odysseus' long journey home after fighting in the Trojan war.
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Introducing Homer's Iliad (The Open University)
Introduction to the epic poem telling the story of the Trojan War.
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The many guises of the emperor Augustus (The Open University)
Focuses on Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, who lived from 63 BCE to 14 CE. The rule of Augustus marked a significant political change in Rome.
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Hadrian's Rome (The Open University)
This course explores the city of Rome during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (117-38 CE). Fully free with an option to sign up for a certificate.
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Health and Wellbeing in the Ancient World (The Open University)
Explores ancient medical beliefs on hygiene, sanitation, diet, gender roles and family life.
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Art and Life in Ancient Egypt (The Open University)
Explores art in Egyptian life through Nebamun's tomb paintings
OTHER FREE SHORT COURSES
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Rome: A Virtual Tour of the Ancient City
(Futurelearn, University of Reading)
An immersive course through Professor Matthew Nicholls' own research in reconstructing the ancient city digitally.
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Introduction to Roman Architecture (Youtube, Yale Open Courses)
Roman urban planning, engineering feats, monuments, and decorative traditions​​​​​​​​​
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Ancient Greek Art and Architecture (Smarthistory)
Curated guide on the art and architecture of Ancient Greece​
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Wonders of Ancient Egypt (Coursera, University of Pennsylvania)
Explores topics such as art principles, hieroglyphs, magic, religion of the Aten, burial of Tutankhamun.
ANCIENT LANGUAGES
Classical Latin: the language of Ancient Rome (The Open University)
Focus on Latin structure, vocabulary and pronunciation.​
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Latin for Beginners (Class Central)
11 hours covering grammar, verb tenses, declensions, parsing and oral practice.
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Learn Latin Now - Beginners series (Class Central)
Grammar lessons with exercises and recaps.​
​​Ten-Minute Hieroglyphs (Principia Parva Blog)
Mini lessons on simple translations for beginners.​​
Discovering Ancient Greek and Latin (The Open University)
Introduction to the grammar features of both languages, explaining cases, declensions and conjugations.
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Getting started on Ancient Greek (The Open University)
Covers the alphabet, simple words, sentences and historical context.
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Introduction to Classical Greek (University of Texas)
Designed to improve reading Classical Greek
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Learn Ancient Greek in 64 Lessons (Open Culture)
Video lectures equivalent to two university semesters.​
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Greek Exercises from the Athenaze textbook (University of Victoria)
Exercises to supplement the Athenaze Ancient Greek textbook.
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DIGITISED ANCIENT TEXTS​
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Online database of ancient texts and primary sources in Ancient Greek or Latin
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Electronic Resources for Classicists
Collection of useful sites for those studying the ancient world
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A rich digital library of primary sources and maps of Roman topography and inscriptions
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A collection of ancient texts and translations