Research
The Department of Classics at the University of Reading is distinguished for its innovative research in areas of classical studies and ancient history that range from the pre-historic Aegean (c. 1,000 BCE) to the end of the Roman Empire (c. 400 CE) and also include Egypt and the Near East. Our department is notable for a scholarly breadth that encompasses a new initiative on Language, Text, and Power as well as the study of ancient religion, material culture, literary studies, and classical reception. Our research environment benefits from the quality of our staff and postgraduate students (at the MA and PhD levels), from such resources as the Ure Museum, and from a lively programme of seminars and international conferences. All members of staff are active researchers who publish work of high quality and often set the agenda in their fields. The RAE 2008 assessed 90% of our research output as of international excellence. For a list of recent publications by staff in the Department of Classics, please click here (or use the link in the column on the left for publications by all staff in the School of Humanities).
We have particular research strengths in the following areas:
The Classical Tradition and Reception Studies
Additionally, gender studies remains an important focus for the research interests of several staff, as evidenced by their publications. For instance, Barbara Goff has written on Athenian women; Amy Smith on childhood and the marriage ceremony; and Helen King on aspects of the female body in medical texts and beyond. Lastly, we run the Centre for Hellenic Studies, which promotes understanding of all aspects of Greek culture. This includes: research and teaching in ancient Greek language, literature, history, art and archaeology, and in the influence of these on later societies; courses in modern Greek language; and the opportunity to study at the University of Crete or the British School at Athens.