Classics and Ancient History

Research groups

Members of the department carry out research across the whole range of classical studies: Greek and Latin literature, ancient history and historiography, visual culture, philosophy, and reception. Our work is characterised by a particular focus on interdisciplinary approaches and theoretical questions, and by an interest in the globalisation of classics.

A special resource is the Bristol Institute of Greece, Rome and the Classical Tradition, which provides a focus for collaborative and interdisciplinary work and support for conferences and other research activities. The institute encompasses research from many fields, including history, art history, archaeology, literary studies and philosophy, with a particular interest in exploring links between the ancient and modern worlds.

Individual members of staff are involved with research groups across the faculty and University, such as medieval studies, early modern studies, colonialism and the Cabot Institute. The department has recently hosted a major AHRC-funded research project, Thucydides: Reception, Reinterpretation, Influence.

All new research students attend a core unit on Theories and Approaches, as well as the fortnightly departmental seminar.

Careers

A large number of graduates from this programme develop careers in higher education or work on high-level research projects in the field of classics and ancient history; some graduates go on to careers in museum education and journalism.