Reading Groups
Winter/Spring 2025: Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Coptic
Medieval Latin
Reading Latin is going medieval! For the second half of the year we will read six excerpts from the Latin works of The Matter of Britain, which contains histories of Britain and various works related to the Arthurian legend.
These readings are aimed at students with approximately 1 year of Latin study, however anyone with more or less (or no) experience is invited to join us, should they have a curiosity for Latin and a passion for languages. All are welcome!
Session Day and Time: Alternating Fridays 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Mode: Hybrid: sessions are held on-campus and streamed live via Zoom (links sent out ahead of each session)
First Session: Friday August 8th
More info at the Sign Up Form link below!
Weird Greek
Weird Greek explores overlooked texts from the Postclassical period of Ancient Greek (c. 300 BCE–600 CE). Each week, the group reads a different text, gradually moving backward through this often-neglected millennium of linguistic material. The selections span from documentary texts to literary works—offering insight into Greek’s development across the Hellenistic and Late Antique periods. In semester 2 texts from the Early and Late Hellenistic periods will be read, beginning with Strabo's 'Geographika'.
These readings are aimed at students with approximately 1 year of Greek study, however anyone with more or less (or no) experience is invited to join us, should they have a curiosity for Greek and a passion for languages and the ancient world. A familiarity with the Greek alphabet is advised, but all are welcome!
Session Day and Time: Every Friday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Mode: In person only: sessions are held on-campus and aren't streamed/recorded
First Session: Friday August 1st
More info at the Sign Up Form link below!
Biblical Hebrew
Reading Hebrew will explore a variety of forms of Biblical Hebrew, beginning with the relatively approachable Hebrew prose of Genesis and Jonah, before later in the semester exploring more difficult texts of poetry, prophecy, and documentary evidence. The first session will begin, where else, than with Genesis 1:1.
An overview of the Hebrew script as well as a historical pronunciation guide will be provided, and beginners are encouraged to join! Grammatical and linguistic features will be guided through in detail. However, those with roughly a semester of experience with Hebrew will be well familiar with the grammatical structures and vocabulary of these readings. All are welcome!
Session Day and Time: Fridays once per month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Mode: In person only: sessions are held on-campus and aren't streamed/recorded
First Session: Friday August 15th
More info at the Sign Up Form link below!
Reading Coptic
Reading Coptic explores the fascinating final stage of the Egyptian language. We will read a mix of documentary and literary Coptic texts, beginning with a letter from Pachomo, son of Theodor, concerning wheat.
These readings are open to students of all levels, however anyone with experience with the Greek alphabet (which Coptic uses extensively) will be in good stead. All are welcome!
Session Day and Time: Fridays once per month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Mode: Hybrid: sessions are held on-campus and streamed live via Zoom (links sent out ahead of each session)
First Session: Friday August 1st
More info at the Sign Up Form link below!