Intro to Ancient Greek (Intensive) & Reading the Iliad on Samothraki

Students entering 10th grade and older are invited to join us in Greece for this intensive ancient Greek program. Based in the magical town of Therma on this northern Aegean island from which Poseidon watched the fall of Troy, students spend their mornings learning/reviewing Greek grammar and vocabulary and reading unadapted excerpts from the great authors of Greek literature. Afternoons are spent reading Emily Wilson’s translation of the Iliad and discussing epic poetry. During our stay, we visit local archeological sites and nearby places of interest. The evenings feature Greece’s many cultural, leisure, and culinary offerings. Students from the Calder Classics trip “Intro to Ancient Greek (Intensive) in the Peloponnese, June 26 – July 5, 2025” may join us to continue their studies here on Samothraki.

Beginners learn the basics of the ancient Greek language including the alphabet, noun, adjective, and verb forms, as well as the keys to Greek syntax. Lessons follow Learn to Read Greek, a textbook and workbook designed to help students acquire the ability to read and appreciate the great works of Greek literature as quickly as possible. In addition to emphasizing fundamental grammar and vocabulary, this book introduces unadapted prose and poetry by such authors as Sophocles, Euripides, and Herodotus starting in Chapter 3.

Advanced Beginner and Intermediate students follow the same daily schedule as beginners but start from a later chapter in the textbook.

Students will hone their skills through the intensive personal attention of Classics Ph.D. candidates Victoria Hodges and Tobias Philip. Victoria is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Classical Studies in Athens and Tobias is a Fulbright Scholar.

Daily group symposia on topics related to the Iliad, ancient Greek philosophy, politics, and mythology will be run by Felicia Kang, Chair of the History Department at Spence School, and former Chair of the History Department at Saint Ann’s School.

While the schedule will be flexible, the general plan is as follows:​

9-10AM           Group Breakfast

10-1PM            Ancient Greek Sessions

1-3PM              Lunch and Break

3-6PM             Ancient Greek / Readings of Emily Wilson’s Iliad translation and Discussion

6-10PM           Dinner and Evening Activities

Students are accepted on a rolling admissions basis while space is available. Please submit your application by the deadline of April 1  to receive priority consideration for this program. Applications received before April 1  will be reviewed as they are received, and acceptances will be granted upon evaluation by our staff. Applications received after April 1 will be accepted if spots are still available.

Your application will be processed, and you will receive a reply regarding your acceptance status within one to two weeks of your submission date provided that we have received your teacher reference.