Hamptonians across the year groups explored the ancient sites of Greece in a fascinating trip over the Easter holidays. The 39-strong cohort of Classicists, from the Second Year to Upper Sixth, travelled to the country, whose ancient culture is one of the bedrocks of western civilisation.
The tour began in Attica, with visits to the unusual rectangular theatre at Thorikos and the beautiful Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, a special beacon for sailors navigating the Aegean Sea. Pupils spent the next two days marvelling at the world-famous Akropolis (with its Theatre of Dionysus, Propylaia, Erectheion and Parthenon) and other sites of political importance like the Agora and Pnyx.
The Classics cohort then departed for Marathon, where the Upper Sixth pupils – themselves prospective Classics undergraduates – directed the re-enactment of the eponymous battle which secured an unprecedented Greek victory over the mighty Persians. The also visited the bewitching site and museum of the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary, Delphi, which was guided expertly by Mr Hall.
From one Pan-Hellenic sanctuary to another…Olympia was up next! Hamptonians enjoyed another expertly guided tour, this time by Mr Barber, around this sprawling site which once housed the gargantuan statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is, of course, more famous for being the home of the Olympic Games, and Hamptonians were lucky to experience first-hand the different features of the sporting site, such as the Zanes, exercise area and stadium.
The final stop of the trip was Mycenae, home to one of Greece’s earliest civilisations famous for its mythological house of Atreus, love of gold and penchant for blood-sports. Hampton Classicists relished the opportunity to walk into the bee-hive tombs, through the Lion Gate and up to the palace, where, according to myth, Agamemnon was killed by his wife, Klytemnestra, in a bath.
Miss Amy Winstock, who organised the 2024 Classics trip to Greece, was delighted with success of the week-long adventure:
Back to All ArticlesThe Classics Trip to Greece was a resounding success. Not only did the pupils’ exploration of the sites and museums hugely benefit their study of Classics – both on and off syllabus – but the shared experience of an overseas trip brought like-minded pupils, regardless of their year group – closer to each other. Next on the agenda… Hadrian’s Wall 2025 and Sicily 2026!
