Classics Week returns to Campion for first time in two years
Susanna Kent
Classics Society President & Consul
“For the whole earth is the tomb of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men."
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
Last week, the Classics Society celebrated Classics Week - six days of sporting and cultural events, held annually, to imbibe some cultural aspects of the civilisations of Ancient Greece and Rome in the hearts of Campion students.
After Classics week was cancelled last year, the students enthusiastically took part in this year’s events, beginning with sprints and a “marathon” around the campus.
A new event, Gladiatorial Combat (or "paper bash"), was added to the schedule on Tuesday.
Wednesday’s event was Chariot Racing. Intending to reference the great Roman chariot races with fewer casualties, teams used their ingenuity and agility to race around the front circle on a contraption fashioned from a bicycle, skateboard, and rope (no injuries were reported).
On Thursday, the Classics Society collaborated with the Debating Society to hold a debate on the topic, “which ancient civilisation is greater, Greece or Rome?” Those arguing for the Greeks were victorious.
The last Classical Olympic game for the week was the infamous Sock Wrestling. Perhaps the most physical of the events, students fiercely fought to tear the single sock from the foot of their opponent while keeping their own sock on.
To conclude the week, we celebrated with the traditional Toga Party, where students attempted to embody classical Roman togas and stolas, and enjoyed Roman and Greek-inspired fare and music.
We were very happy to be able to hold Classics Week again this year, to gain insight into the civilisations we have been so diligently studying. Many thanks to the members of the Classics Society who helped organise the week’s events!
Thanks to Sophia Shogren for the toga party photos.
