Trips SCHOOL
HADESTOWN THEATRE TRIP: OCTOBER 2024
FRANKIE ALEXANDER AND WREN
JENEN-BURGESS (Y10)
Hello! We’re Frankie and Wren, we went on the Hadestown trip on the 16th of October. Here are our thoughts.
Hadestown is a play written by Anaïs Mitchell in 2010. It is based on the myths of both Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. It’s a sung-through musical, with many different styles and an iconic collection of instruments.
The myth is reimagined as a tale of the struggle to live through rapidly changing climates and how the arts are devalued in a work-focused world. It also tells us about hope and there is always a chance to make things better if we believe.
The myth has been told many different ways—including a popular version where Eurydice is bitten by a snake, not featured in the musical. I think the musical did a very good job of using the new medium to both convey the spirit of the original myths and let us view them in a new light
Frankie’s favourite song is How Long, a conversation between Hades and Persephone, because the harmonies are really beautiful and the lyrics really make you think.
Wren’s favourite song is Way Down Hadestown because it’s really bold and catches your attention.
Both of our favourite characters are Hermes, because he’s funny and his silver suit is great.
I (Frankie) have seen it before, for my birthday last year, but it was just as enjoyable the second time, and fun to go with some more friends this time. I cried both times—it’s a very emotional story.
If you get the chance to go and see it, I definitely recommend the experience!
NOTTING HILL AND EALING GDST CLASSICS CONFERENCE
JANUARY 2025
Year 12 & 13 Classicists had a brilliant day out at the GDST Classics Conference. Students travelled to Notting Hill to hear a range of lectures on Roman History, Greek Art, Homeric Greek and a student-panel on university applications. Star of the show was Dr Carrie Vout who gave a fascinating lecture on the portrayal of gods in Greek culture, which the students found particularly interesting for their Greek Religion module. Mr Higham gave a lecture on Roman civil wars, there was an interesting discussion of violence in the Iliad, and students enjoyed networking with other Classicists. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and we look forward to the next one.
“Professor Vout’s lecture, exploring the problem of representing god in artwork, was utterly captivating, for both its content and her abilities as a public speaker.
OEDIPUS THEATRE TRIP
STUDENT VOICE
FEBRUARY 2025
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I thought it was amazing. I expected it to be naturalistic, but the physical theatre (e.g the dancers) was incredible and evoked a lot of emotion from me. I thought not having an extensive plot was effective because every scene was more in detail. Overall, it was really good and it presented the original story in a really interesting way!
Sabine (Y11):
I really loved this play, the chorus really added to the tension in the atmosphere and made such an enthralling and captivating intro and throughout. Rami Malek did such a good role of a king destroying himself, this was such an amazing Greek tragedy. It makes me want to read the original play. Indira Varma was amazing as both a mother, wife and advisor, all of her monologues were so compelling. And despite the slight modernisation of the play, it still felt very much like a Greek tragedy. Overall I loved everything about this play; it was incredible. Every actor and chorus, set and costume design added to the atmosphere (i particularly liked the water being upstage).
Nina (Y11)
I really liked Oedipus because it was full of surprises and drama. I found it interesting that Oedipus tried everything to change his fate, but in the end, he ended up making it happen anyway. The whole idea of fate and truth was really interesting, and I didn’t expect the ending to be so shocking. It made me realize how sometimes the truth can hurt way more than you think.
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Sasha (Y10): I really enjoyed it; the staging was super cool and interesting, and the chorus was amazing. The acting was really good and it was all very clear. I especially loved Jocasta as Indira Varma was amazing and really interesting to watch.
Ellie (Y11):
“I thought it was a very exciting and well directed/made play. I enjoyed how it was very dramatic and theatrical, with unique yet simple lighting and set designs. I thought that they depicted the story in a unique way, and I loved the chorus in between. I thought it brought great insight to how the plays would be done historically. I think that after watching this I will most likely be looking out for more types of theatre similar to this as I found it very emotionally capturing and visually powerful.
Morgan (Y10):
“I really liked the acting, especially Jocasta when she realised Oedipus was her son, and the prophet. I also loved the set design, particularly the way they made Tiresias’ entrance very dramatic with colours, music, people etc. and how they made it rain at the back of the stage. I did like the chorus and I thought it did add lots of tensions and emotion to the play.. I also thought the little girls playing Oedipus and Jocasta’s kids were really sweet and talented. Overall, what I take away from it is that I need to watch and read more Greek plays because I really enjoyed this one.
Constance (Y11):
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I really enjoyed the dramatic start with Oedipus on his own on stage while the people chanted his name, I really like the chorus’s dancing style. Jocasta is such a good character and I really liked her acting towards the end. I learned I enjoy serious plays, as I normally see light hearted shows, with lots of action but honestly I really enjoyed the brooding atmosphere. I was also surprised at how interesting the religious side of the story was with Jocasta being a non believer, and it was intriguing to see how the people of Thebes followed the gods. I didn’t know the story before watching the play and I want to get to know about the original version now.
Scarlett (Y10):
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I really enjoyed the dancers in the chorus and even though I already knew the story, I thought that they portrayed it really uniquely. The special effects with the rain were also pretty amazing and overall we had a great time :)
Isabel (Y10):
I found the play was mainly accurate and found the chorus especially powerful due to their dancing and the music. However, I found the depiction of Creon less accurate compared to in the original text - he appeared as more of an evil priest than simply religious and a rightful king - and the portrayal of Oedipus was different from the character in Sophocles - he was not as paranoid or tyrannical as expected. However, I thought Jocasta was played very well and she matched the character in Sophocles who loves her husband/son, rejects prophecy and is full of despair when she learns the truth. Overall, I really enjoyed this play and would recommend!
Harriet (Y13):
Events
REDMAIDS HIGH VIRTUAL CLASSICS CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 2025
On Friday 28 February Year 10, 12 and 13 students of Latin and Classical Civilisation had the opportunity to attend Redmaid’s High GDST’s Virtual Classics Conference, listening to a range of lectures delivered by experts in the classical world from prestigious universities.
25 Year 9 students who have opted for Latin at GCSE and our Y11 GCSE Latin group also joined for the talk during period 4 on looking at Aeneid II through a ‘distorted mirror’ by Professor Sharon Marshall from Exeter University. The day was intellectually stimulating and fast paced, preparing our students for life at university. They focussed incredibly well and took copious notes, which will be useful for them to refer to in the future.
Here’s what our students had to say about the day:
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I really enjoyed the conference because I already had an interest in the poetess Sappho, and it was really interesting to hear about weddings from her point of view, and also how she wrote about women with so much emotion. I didn’t know about the distorted mirror, and the similarities between Pompey’s death and Priam’s death.
Wren Jenen-Burgess(Y10)
“I really enjoyed learning about things that I don’t have time to research myself and having subjects that we don’t normally learn about being taught about.
Mia Phisatory (Y10)
“I really enjoyed the analysis of ‘Frogs’ and how it related to the paintings on pottery. I also found the parallels of Troy and Rome very interesting and it made me want to learn more about the fall of Troy.
Scarlett Galvin (Y10)
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I enjoyed listening to the lecture from Thomas Harrison, where he talks about ancient Greek and Roman Art. I found the analysis of the different subjects fascinating especially as they centred around art from Athens, which I have recently visited so I got to connect to what he was talking about. I learnt lots of fun facts like that the Parthenon was meant to be the name of a different building next to it.
Morgan Fritschi: (Y10)
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It was interesting to learn new things from people that are passionate about the topic. I learned about how comedic acts are made, and the different types of costumes people used to use in ancient Rome.
Charlotte Braybrook (Y10)
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I learnt a lot about greek weddings, which I didn’t know anything about before and I also really enjoyed learning about Sappho being an LGBTQ+ person over 3000 years ago and I thought her poems were very interesting.
Poppy Hannan (Y10)
My favourite talk was probably the one about Sappho, where we explored what you can learn from Sappho’s poetry about what weddings were like while utilising other art works. I found this very interesting as it showed the similarities and differences within our cultures. Another I liked was the Frogs because it showed the humour of the Ancient Greeks and highlighted how the everyday experiences (like thoughts on politics) influenced plays. Overall, the day gave me a greater insight into their culture, our connections and made me want to visit Greece to see some of the remains myself!
Cara Sargaison (Y12)
I enjoyed hearing the speakers talk about areas of Classics that I didn’t know about before. I found the first lecture about weddings interesting to hear about how some traditions have stemmed from ancient Greece, how Sappho wrote about the feelings of women before their weddings that weren’t accepted by society.
Matilda Gee (Y10)
I enjoyed learning about theatre in the ancient world during the lecture on Aristophanes’ Frogs. It was really interesting to hear how their comedy isn’t too different to ours now and how they would even critique the audience during their shows.
Isabel Whitelaw (Y10)
The speaker provided an insight to the Aeneid which I hadn’t seen before, which was specifically beneficial for my GCSE. It was interesting to see key moments in Roman history, as well as the many parallels in classical literature documenting this.
Sabine Humayun (Y11)
I enjoyed the story she told and how there were actual accounts not just guesses from historians. I learnt a lot as I have never read Aeneid. For example I learnt that there was a shooting star after Caesar’s assassination.
Aeman Raza (Y9)
SICILY TRIP
APRIL 2025
ROSA LAMBERT (YEAR 9)
The Sicily trip 2025 was an amazing experience. We visited many historical sites as well as practising speaking Italian and improving our language skills. On day one, once we arrived in Catania we drove to Taormina, a beautiful town on the coast of Sicily. On the second day, we went to Syracuse and took a guided tour. In the afternoon, we had a granita tasting. On the third day we visited the Villa Romana del Casale and saw lots of incredible mosaics. Later, we drove to the valley of the temples near Agrigento, and saw many impressive temples. On the final day we visited Catania, going around the fish market before driving to the airport. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the Villa Romana del Casale because the mosaics were so intricate and wonderful. I have learned so much, and the trip has definitely made me want to go back to Sicily.
GREECE TRIP
OCTOBER 2024
DARCEY HILL
I saved up over the summer and spent my October half term travelling to Greece. This was so I could bring to life the places we study during Classics lessons and help visualise the sanctuaries we study. This was also because I was so amazed and fascinated by all I had learned about them that I was desperate to visit them in person. I found this trip truly enabled me to truly help get into the mind of an ancient Greek walking around the sacred place of the gods.
During my trip I learned the significance of the architectural layout. For example the Temple of Apollo was situated right at the top of mount parnassus, this was not only significant because it made it more rewarding for the Greeks after walking up the sacred way but also because It’s situated so that as soon as the sun rises it shines directly on the temple, really reflecting the presence of the sun god at the temple making it more magical. The Athenian Acropolis is situated high on a hill looking over Athens, illustrating the sanctuary’s importance. I found that no matter where you were in Athens you could usually see it protruding over all the city. Emphasising its importance as the religious heart of Athens. I also visited the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion (where Aegeus was said to have thrown himself off the cliff after believing his son Theseus was killed by the minotaur). This also enforced how the different roles of the deities were reflected through their domains, for example it was located right by the ocean, showing how sailors would sacrifice to Poseidon before journeys reflecting the ‘do ut des’ reciprocal relationship.
“Seeing the architecture up close on the pediments and in the museum helped greaten my appreciation for greek art and architecture
Visiting these sanctuaries truly showed me the close relationship between religion and politics. For example, walking through these spaces not only showed the sanctuary as a religious space reflecting the god’s presence but also showed how different cities would use this as an area to show off their wealth and promote themselves. For example, every corner you turned on the sacred way would pass a treasury or a monument dedicated by other cities such as the serpent column from Athens. This was linked to their military victory over the Persians whilst thanking the citizens of Delphi for their help. The magic of these sanctuaries also shows the appreciation of the gods, emphasising their presence. Compared to the modern buildings surrounding them these sanctuaries remain timeless reflecting their significance.
Seeing the architecture up close on the pediments and in the museum helped greaten my appreciation for greek art and architecture as well as helping me realise it was something i would like to study further in university. Interestingly neither are easily accessibleneed to walk up hills and mountains to reach the sacred areas. Really brings to life the presence of the gods. Everything shows how the Greek world was so centred around mythology and their deities.
SIXTH FORM FUTURES WEEK: TRIP TO ATHENS CARA SARGAISON (Y12)
During culture day I had the exciting opportunity to go to Athenswith family. After reading so much about life in Ancient Greece in textbooks and online, I wanted to deepen my understanding of Ancient Greek culture, religion and politics - matters key to Classical Civilisation A-Level.
First Stop: the Athenian Acropolis
Making our way up to the acropolis in the sweltering heat we passed several interesting sites such as Hadrian’s Library, an old Roman library. Crowds swirled around us and it reminded me of all those who would have been a part of the procession up the sacred way during the Panathenaea. Before entering, there were many things to see like olive trees, a rocky viewing platform and most surprising of all, a man dressed head to toe in an ancient Greeks soldier’s uniform with a spear and all! Upon entering we were met with the impressive parthenon and even knowing the scale of the building beforehand I was shocked with how big it is. At its side lies the Erechtheion and the Caryatid maidens seen on it, whose graceful forms are possibly modeled on the women of Caryae - a city that, according to an account from Vitruvius, was punished after siding with the Persians in the war.
Second Stop: the Acropolis Museum
At the Acropolis Museum we got to take a closer look at artifacts found at the site. One of the most exciting is the reconstruction of the east pediment of the parthenon that showed Athena winning the patron sainthood of Athens. Also, the metopes as it offered insight into who travelled along the sacred way to celebrate the Panathenaea - this part showing men on horses.
Inside the National Archaeological Museum I learnt more about the antikythera mechanism, the world’s oldest computer. This machine was able to predict planetary positions and eclipses years in advance. Furthermore, it is suspected that it was used to track the four year cycle of the Olympic Games, and is dated to around 100 BCE. This goes to show the technology capable of being created thousands of years ago. Also, this isn’t even thought to be the oldest analogue computer due to the sophisticated design of the Antikythera Mechanism found indicating earlier iterations.
Not only that, but the Statue of Ephesian Artemis gave me insight into the e different ways the Ancient Greeks chose to present their gods. In this e e e statue, Artemis has 28 breasts on her dress to show that she is a goddess of fertility and is unlike any depiction of a Greek goddess that I have ever seen.
This trip has made a lasting impact on my studies and has helped me fully understand and appreciate the place of religion in ancient life while learning new things in the process. Plus, seeing how the ancient world still shapes modern society also gave me a new appreciation for the subject as a whole.
Third Stop: the National Archaeological Museum
Winners COMPETITION
RUNNER UP PRIZE OF THE EMACT
Charlotte Dark has received the runner up prize of the EMACT (East Midlands Association of Classics Teachers) Art Competition held in collaboration with the Classical Association. She will share the prize money of £500 with the winner and other runner up.
The theme for 2024 was Landscapes of Roman Britain; looking for creative entries that explore Roman Britain in a visually interesting way. This could include a painting, a drawing, a photograph, or a photography series.
‘Sunset on the Roman Empire’ is an unedited photograph that I took of the sun setting through clouds seen behind the Roman town wall at St Albans, the Roman town of Verulamium.
As the Roman Empire withdrew from its outward reaches, around 400 AD, Britain was one of the first provinces to lose direct control by Rome.
Having been mentioned in many sources during its Roman occupation, notably in a tablet from Marcus Rennius Venustus, now in Verulamium Museum, asking for money from a friend in Verulamium, Verulamium is known to have been a military stronghold as well as a domestic centre. With a theatre, baths, amphitheatre, forum, and basilica as well as multiple temples and countless houses, the town spanned much of what is modern day St Albans, indeed the buildings of the modern town are mostly built on top of the ruins of the old one.
Leading up to its fall into partial ruin, the town was sacked by Boudica in 61 AD
and was destroyed by two fires in 155 and 250 AD, which damaged many of the large structures.
When it came to capturing the idea of the Roman landscape of Verulamium, it was clear to me that inclusion of one of the parts of the Roman town which still stands would be the best approach. While options such as the theatre were appealing, a stage recently added to the middle of it for modern performances seemed to rather put an end to that idea and looked out of place. This soon appeared as a common trend in the town, to have the new and old existing in the same space, and
I thought that this was not quite what I envisaged for a way of encapsulating the essence of the Roman life of Verulamium.
When the sun was setting, I saw an excellent opportunity, however, in the crumbling Roman wall on a hill in Verulamium Park.
I positioned the photograph so that the sun’s rays coming from behind the clouds were visible through the gap in the wall where the gates of the town once stood. To me this seemed to encapsulate a sense of both the glory, and the end, of Roman Britain.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE OVID TALES CSCP COMPETITION
DAISY DAING 7RGU
Ivy stood at the entrance of the labyrinth, where a thick tangle of ivy and moss obscured the stone walls, as if the earth itself were trying to swallow the structure whole. The air was heavy with the scent of wet earth and something darker—ancient, buried in the past. She had heard the stories, of course. The old tales about the labyrinth that was said to change its paths, to toy with the minds of those who dared to enter. Some claimed it was cursed, while others believed
it was a test, a place of both terrible danger and great reward. Few had returned from it, and those who did were never quite the same.
She hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, her heart pounding in her chest. The stone underfoot gave way to uneven cobbles as she ventured deeper into the shadowy maze. The walls, tall and imposing, seemed to close in behind her. Her breath quickened.
“Keep moving,” she muttered to herself. “Just keep moving.”
The air inside the labyrinth grew heavier still, as if the walls themselves were watching, breathing. With each turn she took, the path seemed to shift, twisting and reconfiguring like a living thing. She was certain she had passed the same stone archway several times. The labyrinth wasn’t just a maze—it was a trickster, and she was its prey.
Minutes turned into hours, or maybe days; she lost track of time. Her legs ached, her mind frayed. And then, when she thought she could go no further, she saw something ahead. A flicker of light—warm, golden. She stumbled toward it, her heart racing with hope. But as she neared, it vanished, just out of reach. She swore, frustration building like a storm inside her.
“Enough!” she cried into the stillness. “I will not be your prisoner!”
In the silence that followed, something shifted. The labyrinth’s grip loosened, and the air cleared. The walls seemed to be breathless, their oppressive presence creeping closer like the tide. She didn’t understand it at first, but then she realized: it wasn’t the maze that controlled her, but her own fear.
With renewed determination, Ivy pressed on with intent, no longer subject to the labyrinth’s unpredictable twists and turns. Each step became a statement of her resolve. The maze continued to shift around her, yet she felt a newfound clarity.
Eventually, she reached the center, a spacious area where sunlight poured in from an unseen source, enveloping everything in a warm, golden hue. In the middle stood a stone pedestal, upon which lay a single rose, softly glowing.
She moved closer, her hands
PEARSON AND SILVER AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO CLASSICS
CARA SARGAISON (Y12)
Cara Sargaison received the GDST Pearson and Silver Award for her commitment to Classics with £200 prize money. She will be putting this towards the cost of her place at the JACT ancient Greek summer school at Bryanston this summer.
quivering—not from fear this time, but from awe. She had achieved it. She had triumphed over the labyrinth, not through sheer force or cleverness, but by embracing its enigma and releasing her trepidation.
As she reached for the rose, the maze shifted once more, but this time, it was not to mislead her. The walls opened up, unveiling a way out. The labyrinth had presented its challenge, and Ivy had faced it on her own terms.
She grasped the rose, its petals gentle against her skin, and stepped into the light. The maze was now behind her—along with her fears. A new world awaited her beyond.
Greek Club
ANCIENT GREEK CLUB
This year, I have attended the Ancient Greek club, where I began by learning the alphabet and went on to study many words from our textbook. I thoroughly enjoyed translating the various stories, and I felt proud of my ability to do so. The club has had a positive impact on my school experience, making me more engaged in my studies. It also helped me recognise
and understand words of Greek origin, which has expanded my vocabulary, comprehension, and general knowledge. I am very grateful to the Latin teachers for organising the club and providing us with physical textbooks, which have significantly enhanced our learning. Beyond the academic benefits, attending the Ancient Greek club has been a thoroughly
“The club has had a positive impact on my school experience, making me more engaged in my studies.
This year I have really enjoyed attending Greek Club. Latin is my favourite subject, so I have found it very interesting to see the similarities between Latin and Ancient Greek. I think Greek Club has been incredibly fun and useful, and I am excited to continue with Ancient Greek next year and continue to learn such a fascinating language.
Rosa Lambert (9A)
enjoyable experience, adding something fun and enriching to the school day. It has also sparked interesting conversations among students after the sessions. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming lessons.
Aeman Raza (9A)
“Greek Club has been incredibly fun and useful, and I am excited to continue with Ancient Greek next year
Programme HUMANITIES STRETCH
The Classics Department has given three ‘Hums Stretch’ lectures this year. Mr Higham started off the year giving an impassioned talk delving into the ‘Year of the Four Emperors’:
“I delivered my Hums stretch on the Year of the Four Emperors, a pivotal moment in history in which the old traditions of the Roman aristocracy were violently and brutally destroyed. I enjoyed reading the primary sources of Suetonius and Tacitus, key Roman writers, and thinking about how people 2,000 years ago responded to issues of civil disturbance and political legitimacy, issues we are still grappling with now”
Year 10 student, Matilda Gee, delivered an outstanding talk on ‘Why the Myth of Atlantis won’t die’ and had us all hooked on the historical basis of Atlantis and its lasting impact:
“My Humanities stretch talk was based around the myth of the Lost City of Atlantis. I explored how and why the myth has been successful in enduring the test of time and why it is still of interest now, over 2000 years after it was first proposed by Plato in 360 BC. I first explained the background of the myth, going into detail about the origins
and content of the myth, including how Plato attributed the founding of the city to the God of the sea, Poseidon. I also talked about some of the many reasons for the survival of the myth, including the influence of different theories surrounding the location of the city, focusing on the proposed location of the Donana Mudflats in Southern Spain, and also how the myths popularity in popular culture, inspiring countless books, films and video games has led to its survival. I really enjoyed giving the talk as it allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and practice my public speaking skills.”
Mrs Frankland introduced the term ‘The Male Gaze’ and explored how we can regain power and ownership through being conscious of the lens through which we view ancient literature and art:
“I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading a variety of ancient texts, ranging from Homeric epic to Greek tragedy to Roman love poetry, to examine how ancient male authors have shaped the portrayals and perceptions of women and made a lasting impact on the representation of women in media. We ended with the monologue from the film Barbie to empower us as women to take back control of the narrative.’
This talk was then paired with Mrs Condron’s talk on ‘The Female Gaze’ in contemporary art. It has been a fantastic opportunity to share expertise beyond the classroom with staff and students:
“Following Mrs Frankland’s Hums Stretch talk on the male gaze, I presented selected paintings by three female modern and contemporary artists, all of whom produce alternative female gazes. Suzanne Valadon, a Parisian model turned artist challenged her peers’ depiction of female nudes in early 20C Paris; while mid-20C British artist Sylvia Sleigh’s intriguing ‘secret’ portraits of her husband revealed him in female guise for her eyes only. Contemporary artist Jenny Saville continues to challenge the representation of women with her startling monumental portraits.”
We look forward to welcoming alumna Mei De Greff Ball back from her first year at Oxford University reading Classics with English to give the first Hums Stretch talk of the academic year on Wednesday September 10 2025.
THE CONTENDER - TARAN MATHARU ZOE DAVIES, 7ABA
It is a series of 3 books set in another world, where species have to fight for their existence. The contender is about a boy called Cade who is taken away from his family for stealing, and gets transported to another world where it is ruled by the Parthenon. He must battle to survive. He meets an ancient Roman soldier ,called Quintus from league 19, who only speaks latin. He lives in the temple and is shy. A robot called Codex translates him. I’d recommend this book for people interested in fighting, fantasy and History. The Author also writes the summoner series. As well as this happening, he has to participate in challenges that involve fighting. It is more of a year 7 book than any others
Reviews BOOK
A GLADIATOR STOLE MY LUNCHBOX - THIAGO DE MORAES ZOE DAVIES, 7ABA
A gladiator stole my lunchbox is about a boy called Henry, who is plunged into the past. It wasn’t what he had planned for that afternoon. Now he’s stuck in ancient Rome, can he survive his scheming friends’ foul play, escape some marauding lions and avoid the steaming piles of poo long enough to make it back to the present day?
I would recommend this book to people studying ancient Rome because it is “a toga-tickling, Gladiatorial gallop through Ancient Rome”. It has gladiator battles and it is very funny. It delves very deep into Roman history.
MYTHOS - STEPHEN FRY MAYA CAMPBELL 7ABA
MYTHOS is an amazing book published by the award winning author Stephen Fry in 2017. He explains in detail the lives of gods and humans along with key stories of Greek mythology.
I enjoyed reading this because it retells the myths in a way that really connects with the reader by including light humour and Fry’s personal opinions. By keeping the information short and concise while still telling the story well, it is both informative and not too much to take in at one time.
Stephen Fry has an amazing writing style. He describes the immortals as “warlike but creative, wise but ferocious, loving but jealous, tender but brutal, compassionate, but vengeful.” This serves two purposes; it is crucial for keeping the reader engaged and also describes the deities in almost human terms, with the use of language with real impact. I would definitely recommend this book, whether you have thorough knowledge of Greek myths or none at all. It is a good read for anyone, and a 10/10 interesting book! with clarity and enthusiasm.
LUCY MITCHELL, 8HLO
CIRCE - MADELINE MILLER
Before reading this book all I knew about Circe was that she turned men who arrived at her island into pigs, and I feel like that’s the extent of most people’s knowledge of Circe. This book brought on a fresh perspective of women in Greek mythology, particularly of minor Goddesses such as herself. Madelaine Miller found out so much about this intriguing character, who did so much in mythology. Her writing is beautiful, and she grasps a strong concept of power, knowledge and magic in her novel. Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend it!
CLYTEMNESTRA - COSTANZA CASATI
I absolutely loved this book; it is one of my favourites ever! It gives you the perspective of a woman not often portrayed heavily in Greek mythology and literature, yet who played an incredibly important role in the aftermath of the Trojan war. In addition to the plot, Casati displays Clytemnestra as a fierce, strong and independent women, which other novels about her do not bring to life.
PERCY JACKSON: THE LIGHTNING THIEFRICK RIORDAN IVY DUGAN, 7ABA
I really loved Percy Jackson as I found it so gripping and exciting. This book always had me indulged in the many fights. I loved meeting the characters, especially Annabelle who is super cool and smart (which makes sense considering she is the daughter of Athena Goddess of Wisdom). I would recommend this book to people who like actionadventure books but also a bit of fantasy in the mix.
Percy Jackson and the lightning thief is about a normal-ish boy who finds out that he is in fact a demi-
ELEKTRA - JENNIFER SAINT
Although this novel presented the information well, and had obviously had a lot of research put in it, I for one did not find it that interesting. The author did not give that much personality to a lot of predominant characters, such as Clytemnestra, who I view as having a rather intense nature.
THE HEROINES - LAURA SHEPPERSON
This book tells a story that is not commonly told: that of Theseus’ son raping his own stepmother. Although at times it was quite graphic, it sent a very powerful story, as many have not heard of Theseus’ age or his atrocities. As Phaedra tried to use the system for justice, she was denied at every corner by arrogant men. I found this book very interesting, but I would recommend it for at least 13+.
GILBY, 8LBL
It is a series of 3 books set in another world, where species have to fight for their existence. The contender is about a boy called Cade who is taken away from his family for stealing, and gets transported to another world where it is ruled by the Parthenon. He must battle to survive. He meets an ancient Roman soldier, called Quintus, from league 19, who only speaks latin. He lives in the temple and is shy. A robot called Codex translates him. The Author also writes the summoner series. As well as this happening, he has to participate in challenges that involve fighting. It is more of a year 7 book than any others. I’d recommend this book for people interested in fighting, fantasy and History.
god. Being a demi-god means that his father (who we find out is Poseidon) is a God. But it also means that soon enough beasts will be chasing after him and he is only safe within the boundaries of Camp Half-Blood (which is a camp designed to protect demi-gods. But when he first leaves to embark on a dangerous quest to find out who really took Zeus’s lightning bolt, she meets some of the scariest creatures alive.
THE CONTENDER - TARAN MATHARU MAYA
Recommendations BOOK
Reviews PLAY
A REVIEW OF PERCY JACKSON THE MUSICAL (ORLA 7ADU)
In Percy Jackson the Musical, the storyline is very similar to the one of the actual book. This is unusual but a very key part in the success of the musical. In the musical, a boy called Percy Jackson, (a teenager who lives in New York) discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon - god of the sea. He has new, amazing powers that he must learn to control as he embarks on an exciting mission with his friends to save the world. It is a very entertaining and thrilling musical that captures your attention and imagination!
Actors
The actors are engaging and talented performers. They enhance the story and are a big part of the reason the musical is so good. In my experience, the actress Paisley Billings - Sally Jackson - was an amazing performer who had an incredible voice. Another of my favorite actors was the actor Joe Allen. He played Mr D and (Smelly)
Gabe! He was funny and enthusiastic in both of those roles. The other actors and actresses we saw perform were Max Harwood (Percy), Scott Folan (Grover), Jessica Lee (Annabeth), Greg Barnett (Mr Brunner, Poseidon and Hades), Samantha Mbolekwa (Clarisse) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Luke and Ares). They are all incredible actors and make the musical incredible.
Songs
All of the songs involve the audience, are catchy and have cool lyrics that relate perfectly to the storyline. The actors all have beautiful voices and
are able to project them all around the theatre. The song lyrics are cleverly thought out and seem flawless.
My opinion
I think that this musical is one of the best I have seen in the theatre. All of these characteristics come together and create a wonderful, engaging and exciting performance. I recommend this to everyone who has read the books because it is great.
HADESTOWN PLAY REVIEW - SCARLETT
Hadestown is absolutely the BEST musical I’ve ever seen!
I went with my cousin and his boyfriend, and even days later, I can’t stop thinking about it! The moment the curtain went up, I knew I was in for something special. The songs are so catchy that I found myself humming them all the way home, and now I can’t help but sing them in the shower! Each tune is filled with so much emotion that it really makes your heart race.
The story is a super cool blend of Greek mythology and modern themes, and it’s just so creative! Orpheus is this incredible musician whose voice is truly magical, and Eurydice, his brave girlfriend, is such a strong character. I loved how they portrayed their love story—it’s a mix of joy and struggle that made me feel every emotion possible. You could really see how much they cared for each other, and it made me root for them so hard.
The characters are all amazing too! Hades, the god of the Underworld, was kind of scary but also fascinating. His presence on stage was so powerful he made the whole audience sit up and pay attention! And Persephone, who brings springtime and warmth, had this enchanting vibe that made her stand out. The way the actors portrayed these characters was so believable; I felt like I was watching real people with real feelings.
The set design was absolutely breathtaking! It looked like a real underground world filled with rusty pipes and glowing lights that created a haunting atmosphere. The stage transformed right before our eyes, and the clever use of props made everything feel alive and dynamic. The actors were phenomenal; they sang and danced with so much energy and passion that I felt like I was part of their journey! I could practically feel the music vibrating through the auditorium!
The choreography was stunning, too! It was so lively and creative, and the way the dancers moved made every song feel even more magical. I loved how they used movement to tell the
“If you love music, adventure, and heartwarming stories, you HAVE to see this show!
story, and it added a whole new level of excitement to the performance.
If you love music, adventure, and heartwarming stories, you HAVE to see this show! It’s like a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you cheering at the end. I’m already counting down the days until I can go again! This musical is a masterpiece that everyone should experience at least once!
Play Reviews cont...
THE LIGHTNING THIEF - THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL REVIEW - BRING ON THE MONSTERS!
THE OTHER PALACE, LONDON
BY HANNAH LOWRY (7ABA)
You have probably heard of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. The books tell the story of a boy called Percy Jackson who keeps getting expelled from schools. But did you know that the first book has been adapted into a funny and exhilarating musical that is now showing in London?
In the first book, Percy finds out he is a Demi-God, which means he has one human parent and one godly parent. It turns out that the Greek Gods are very much still around and have lots of children living among us. The stage show follows the plot of the book very closely (unlike some of the movie versions) but with lots of catchy and hilarious songs (22 in total!). The songs are very well written by Rob Rokicki and fit seamlessly into the play - my highlights include The Day I Got Expelled, Another Terrible Day, The Campfire Song and the finale, Bring On The Monsters. It’s hard not to sing along - I saw the play with my brother, mum and dad and we all had the songs stuck in our heads for days afterwards.
The stagecraft, including the set design, costumes and lighting, was flawless. Percy’s magical sword Riptide (Anaklusmos in Greek) is a ballpoint pen which transforms into a sword when he uncaps it. This is a very challenging thing to do on stage in front of a live audience and the way they did it was like magic! We found out later that this was because they worked on the trick with a professional magician and illusionist, Richard Pinner.
The actors did a great job of bringing the characters to life exactly as I imagined them. Although the characters have gods for parents they are also normal teenagers, struggling to fit in. Percy has ADHD and dyslexia, but as Percy’s mum says “the things that make you different are the things that make you strong”. Percy is played energetically by Max Harwood, who has appeared in Stranger Things at the Phoenix Theater and the movie Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Annabeth is played by Jessica Lee and Grover by Scott Folan. There are also hilarious performances by Greg Barnet and Joe Allen who play multiple characters. However, for me the most perfect casting is of Samantha Mbolekwa as the crazy and fierce daughter of Ares, Clarisse.
Ultimately, The Percy Jackson musical is a high energy, interactive and entertaining night out and I would gladly go and see it again! I would highly recommend it to anyone but especially young people who love the books or are interested in Greek mythology.
The Lightning Thief is playing at The Other Palace, London until 31st August 2025.
Reviews TV/FILM
PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS
ESME AND ANNABELLE (7ADU)
In the movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians we both agree that it is an amazing adventure story, it is so captivating because it blends greek mythology with modern day avengers which ensures that you can be full of happiness.It’s about a boy called Percy Jackson who discovers he is actually a demi-god meaning he is actually the son of a greek god. The story is full of excitement with monsters, gods and quests that keep you on the edge of your seat.
I love the way the character Percy Jackson is brave and funny like in the books and he portrays a good hero making it easier to connect with the relationships I like the way that percy’s journey from an ordinary boy is inspiring showing that anyone can rise to challenges when they believe in themselves and have supportive friends by their side. Esme finds that the focus on the friendships in the movie emphasise the value of loyalty and collaboration.
Overall, we both agree that it is a fantastic movie that teaches you about friendship, courage and believing in yourself. We both think it shows how friendships are a highlight of your life and you can’t fight your battles alone.
PERCY JACKSON REVIEW ALEXA JOHNS 7ABA
Over the Spring Holidays I watched Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and it was a very great film.
The film really explored the Greek gods as well as the demi-gods and the heavens. It is a great adventure film and the characters are fabulous. Some of the characters include; Percy Jackson (the son of Poseidon), Annabeth (daughter of Athena), and Grover (a half goat half man species).
In the film there is a thief who stole one of Zeus’s lightning bolts and most people believe it was Percy. He finds out that he is a demi-god and is sent to a camp for people like him. Percy and two of his other friends go on an adventure to bring the lightning bolt back to Zeus and prove that he didn’t take it.
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The film really explored the Greek gods as well as the demi-gods and the heavens. It is a great adventure film and the characters are fabulous.
Articles
ANDROMEDA: PRINCESS OF AETHEOPIA REPRESENTATIONINTHEMEDIA
SABINE HUMAYUN, Y11
The renowned tale of Perseus and Medusa has been told throughout the ages in many different variants. The gorgon herself has evolved, becoming a symbol of survival against sexual abuse, specifically amongst the younger generation. However, a powerful and influential woman has often been diminished and overlooked as this story has been relived: Andromeda.
One of the first known examples of this princess is from Ovid’s telling of the myth. Andromeda was the daughter of the King and Queen of Ancient Aetheopia Cepheus and Cassiopeia, therefore making her the Princess of this land. It is still debated to this day what exactly Ancient Aetheopia was, but many believe that it is sub-saharan Sudan and areas surrounding that. Following this logic, Andromeda is one of the few African and coloured characters in Greek mythology. Ovid himself specifically refers to her dark skin, which is a stark contrast to the other portrayals of her race throughout the media. Because of this, it is rumoured that the poet purposefully made this choice to enlighten his readers on black beauty, something that was scarcely provided in literature or any form of media at the time. In the story, Cassiopeia boasts that she is more beautiful than the sea nymphs called Nereids (once again an instance where Ovid is emphasising the beauty of people of colour), and as punishment for her arrogance, Poseidon floods the Ethiopian coast from the Red Sea and sends a sea serpent names Cetus. Andromeda must be sacrificed to save the kingdom and is chained to a rock naked. Meanwhile, Perseus who has just brutally slain the gorgon comes across Andromeda and rescues her, and in return gets her hand in marriage. Perseus has always been portrayed as the hero of the story, an ideal example of maximised masculinity, therefore making Andromeda the minimised female whose sole purpose in the myth is to allow her husband to shine even brighter. As well as this, Andromeda was already engaged (to her uncle no less, but the point still stands) and so it seems that the protagonist is being rewarded for wrecking an already standing relationship. So should Ovid be praised for his depiction of coloured women or shamed for his contribution to the sexist cliche of the ‘damsel in distress’? After all, this early example paved the way for the cliche to thrive and be popularised in the media throughout time and could be seen as a building block of anti-feminist viewpoints.
During the 17th century, the tale of Perseus and Andromeda became increasingly favoured by playwrights, such as the French tragedian Pierre Corneille with his famous play Andromède.The dramatic show, which used stage
machinery effects, became highly successful and continued for another 10 years, even being presented to King Louis XIV of France. This was shocking to everyone including Corneille himself, as Andromèdewas a significant change to traditional French theatre, which did not use operatic skills, and perhaps did not have black characters, magnifying the outrage of this play. However, the esteemed playwright did not venture too far from the conventions of the time when producing the drama, as he made the decision to have Andromeda fully clothed as she is being rescued by Perseus, instead of her being naked like in the original. He defended this choice by suggesting that her naked state was purely a tradition invented by painters, and was not relevant in theatre. However, by doing this, many believe he broke the link to the well loved myth and crushed Ovid’s intentions. He also diminished the character of Andromeda herself by stripping her of her erotic confidence. This too supported the cliche of the ‘damsel in distress’ by creating the persona of the ‘damsel’ as a meek woman who should be silenced and covered up.
Finally, in 1981, the Hollywood film ClashoftheTitans was released. The film is based around Ovid’s myth, but is naturally adapted to fit a modern American audience. It was such a success that it was remade in 2010 and got a sequel in 2012. Even though there is around 30 years difference between the original and the remake, certain patterns don’t change. In all 3 films, a white actress was casted as Andromeda: first Judi Bowker, second Alexa Davalos and finally Rosamund Pike. We can see here Andromeda has been casted to fit Hollywood’s vision of what the perfect match for Perseus would be. A black love interest for a white protagonist was too controversial for the directors and screenwriters during the 1980s, but even in 2010, when interracial couples were becoming increasingly more accepted, the idea was still rejected. This is another example of how over time, creators of the media (whatever form that is) continuously dismiss Ovid and his aims when he first shared Andromeda with the world. Directors have morphed this woman into a tool they can utilise for their own benefit, without acknowledging the deep and rich character she is on her own.
Overall, it is plain to see that Andromeda is more than what she seems at surface level. Although these are all forms of entertainment in which she is featured prominently, there are not many others and her total appearance in the media is scant. It is difficult to determine what exactly Ovid’s motives were in presenting Andromeda the way he did, and it is even more difficult to determine if they were positive or negative. However, what is clear is that over generations of time, we have lost our bond with the first-told myth and cultivated a weapon of a character used to harm the women of reality through stereotypical cliches. I believe it is time to reclaim Andromeda for what she truly is: a dynamic black woman who is the hero of her own story.
WHY THE MYTHS OF ATLANTIS JUST
WON’T DIE
MATILDA GEE, Y10
The lost city of Atlantis was first proposed in 360 BCE by Greek philosopher Plato. His works; Timeaus and Critias, are the first and only original sources of information regarding the city, going into immense detail about the events, structure and population of the city, even going so far as to provide exact measurements. Plato claims the origins of the myth to have come from his great ancestor, Athenian lawmaker and sage, Solon on his travels through Egypt, therefore the myth would have been passed down through the generations until Plato recorded it. Plato attributed the founding of Atlantis to the god Poseidon, who built the island city for his mortal lover Cleito. The two had many children, the eldest named Atlas, King and namesake of the island and the ocean surrounding it, with the word ‘Atlantis’ being derived from the ancient Greek ‘Atlantis nesos’ meaning ‘Island of Atlas’.
The city is believed to have existed 11,000 years ago, 9,000 years before Plato’s time. Plato describes Atlantis as a mere perfect paradise with an immense naval power. The island, supposedly larger than both Libya and Asia combined, was made up of concentric rings, separated by wide moats that surrounded a great capital city on the centre island, containing the temple of Poseidon. However the city came to a cataclysmic end: one day and one night of fatal floods, earthquakes and fires as a punishment for the population’s hubris, aggression and greed.
Myths are usually an ancient story that explains the early history of a group of people or supernatural beings or explain a practice, belief or natural phenomenon. People often believe in myths to cement their own cultural identity, providing them with a connection to their ancestors and traditions through stories passed down through the generations. Myths can also act as moral guidance......
It is widely known that this myth is fictitious, however that has not stopped countless explorers, scientists, dreamers, from devoting their whole professional lives to finding it. People have lost fortunes- and in some cases even lives- to the centuries old ongoing quest to find the location of Atlantis. For generations, the myth has enraptured the attention of many, leading to thousands of books, films, articles and websites devoted to Atlantis. Why?
The evidence for Atlantis
While it is widely accepted as a myth, intended by Plato as moral guidance, some retain a belief that the city was a reality, and dedicate their whole careers to the relentless search. Geographical evidence uncovered by scientists has aided the myth’s endurance. Every new find, theory, artefact, mysterious mark, sparks renewed hope that the fabled Lost City of Atlantis is indeed reality.
In 2004, German scientist Dr Rainer Kuehne used infrared satellite imagery above the Doñana mudflats in southern Spain, to observe strange circular patterns in the Earth. He observed that these circular patterns almost perfectly matched the Critias 115c–116e description and measurements of the shape of the island. It was said to have been made up of three concentric harbours with a centre island: ‘[the]outermostcircle,whichwasthreeplethra inbreadth,onehundredfeetindepth,andfiftystadesin length’
Circa 360BC, Plato described the exact location of the city in his book Timaeus 24e: “forinfrontofthemouthwhichyou Greekscall,asyousay,‘thepillarsofHeracles,’therelayan islandwhichwaslargerthanLibyaandAsiatogether”
The pillars of Heracles is the ancient name for the 14 kilometer wide strait between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean- a site now called the Strait of Gibraltar. Being in Southern Spain, the Doñana mudflats are in the exact location for where Plato proposed the location of the Lost City to have been. Although now surfaced, in ancient times, that area of Spain was believed to have been underwater. The area also had a long history of tsunamis hitting the bay, as well as floods and earthquakes, fitting the Timaeus 25c-d description of the destruction of Atalntis: “But afterwardsthereoccurredviolentearthquakesandfloods; andinasingledayandnightofmisfortune...theislandof Atlantisinlikemannerdisappearedintothedepthsofthe sea.”.In Critias 115c–116e, Plato described Atlantis as three rings of concentric harbours with a central island, giving exact measurements for each: ‘[the]outermostcircle,which wasthreeplethrainbreadth,onehundredfeetindepth,and fiftystadesinlength’ . Kuehne also observed two rectangular shapes in the earth that matched the description of the great Temple of Poseidon that was said to have been featured on the centre island.
In 2009, archeologist Prof. Richard Freund of the University of Hartford led an international team to investigate Dr Kuehne’s finds in the Doñana national park. The team used deep-ground radar and digital mapping to reveal something suggesting a crumbled wall that lay up to 12 metres underground. Further excavation would reveal if the object they discovered was an entrapped sample of Atlantis, however because water lies so shallow beneath the mudflats, excavation would have been extremely expensive and difficult. Professor Freund also sent a team out off the coast of Spain to investigate underwater. Deepwater echolocation located a wall-like, vertical structure at around 40 metres long, that significantly differed to any other structures on the ocean floor. Upon diving, the team found ruins of what could be a man made structure. They observed that the stones that lay on the ocean floor seemed to be purposely cut, suggesting evidence of civilization having once inhabited the area. However, no further evidence could not prove that these were the remnants of the Lost City.
As a result, the hypothesis that Atlantis was located in the Doñana mudflats has not gained widespread acceptance. The prevailing view among scholars is that the features observed in the region are more likely linked to known historical cultures, such as Tartessos, or are the result of natural geological processes and modern human activity. The rejection of this theory has potentially sparked a renewed interest in other theories and possible locations, compelling people to continue to search for the fabled city, in the hope that they will be the first to prove its existence. Alternative theories include the ancient Minoan civilisation, which thrived on the island of Thera (modern day Santorini, and that the city is buried under kilometers of ice in Antarctica.
Why do people believe in the myth of Atlantis?
For a story proposed over 2300 years ago, the myth of Atlantis has shown remarkable persistence and endured the test of time. “It’sastorythatcapturestheimagination,” says James Romm, a Professor of classics at Bard College in Annandale, New York. “It’sagreatmyth.Ithasalotof elementsthatpeoplelovetofantasizeabout.” With Plato having given exact locations and measurements of the island, people still hold onto the thought that they could be the ones to finally discover the fabled Lost city of Atlantis.
It is possible that people are inclined to believe in the myth of Atlantis out of respect and faith in Plato, “oneofthemost influentialauthorsinthehistoryofphilosophy.”through his works and theories. However, there are differing levels of controversy over which of Plato’s works are truly authentic and what order they were written in, due to their age and preservation.
The myth of Atlantis appeals to human curiosity and taps into the desire for discovery with the ambiguity of the city allowing infinite interpretation and theories, encouraging people to search all over the globe for the mythical city. The myth also acts as an enduring reminder of human fascination with lost civilisations and unsolved mysteries of the past. Atlantis represents a utopia, a reminder of the fragility of even the most powerful empires, and continues
to inspire both professionals and enthusiasts. Some seek definitive proof of the city’s existence and to pinpoint the exact location, revealing the secrets of the ancient empire, while others view the search as symbolic, reflecting the yearning to rediscover lost history, and the fascination with the unknown. However, it is possible that people’s interest is sparked from their own desire to advance their careers and potentially gain immense wealth and fame from becoming the first to finally find Atlantis.
Additionally, advancements in technology have breathed new life into the ongoing search for the lost city. Sonar mapping, satellite imagery and other deep-sea exploration tools have meant that explorers can scan and search vast areas of earth and ocean, revealing hidden geological features and underwater structures that were most likely once above the surface. Although these findings are often assumed to be naturally occurring, they also raise questions about whether ancient civilisations may have thrived in areas now submerged beneath the waves, inspiring interest in excavating these features further.
Atlantis has become an international symbol of grandeur and mystery in popular culture. The city has appeared in countless forms such as art, books, TV series, films and even video games, entire storylines and passing mentions, cementing its status as a cultural icon, acting as a reminder of the longing for discovery and the thrill of the unknown. The 2001 Disney film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, brought the city to life for a new generation, combining myth with modern storytelling. In addition, American artist Thomas Cole painted a series of works titled “The Course of Empire” and features a dramatic scene named “Desolation” that is believed to represent the fall of Atlantis, portraying the ruins of the city. Through the media and popular culture, Atlantis continues to inspire and capture the imaginations of generations of explorers and scientists and remains a symbol of possibility.
Plato’s Atlantis, the utopian mythical city, has endured the test of time for a multitude of reasons. Despite it being widely accepted as a myth, meant as moral guidance against hubris and greed, it is clear that some still believe that the city really existed. This is supported by archaeological discoveries that have been made possible with new technological advancements. With Plato’s simultaneous specific and unambiguous description of the location of the city and new mapping technology, scientists and enthusiasts alike believe that it is only a matter of time before a breakthrough discovery is made. Media portrayal has romanticised the myth, turning it from a harsh cautionary tale, into a magical and powerful city, that just so happened to meet its fatal end, appealing to imaginations, inspiring generation after generation to join the hunt for Atlantis. The symbolism of the city drives many people to dedicate their careers to the continuous search, however, people’s interests are also encouraged by the promise of great rewards, such as fame and wealth, for the discovery of the millenia old lost city.
As of now, this myth remains as it is: a myth. However, who knows, maybe one day someone will finally discover the Lost City of Atlantis.
SOUTH ASIAN Heritage Day
For South Asian Day, we explored the significance of the ‘Pompeii Lakshmi’ with Year 8 to highlight the ancient exchange between Classical Greco-Roman and Indian Cultures. Here are some reflections from Year 8 students:
“When this Indian statuette was discovered in 1938 by the Italian archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri, its depiction was , and still is unclear. It could be representing an ‘Indian Venus’ - the Roman goddess of love and beauty. It could also represent ‘Pompeii Lakshmi’ - the Hindu goddess of fertility, wealth and beauty. While the statue clearly shows some relation to celebrated idols of great power, the roots of this statuette seem to suggest that it came to be in the garden of House I.8.5 on the Via dell’Abbondanza ( House of the Indian statuette ) through Indo-Roman trade, and some sort of cultural integration. The symbolism behind this statue is also unclear, is it a grossly erotic, sexualized piece that paints women in a very particular light through the male gaze? Or is it an emblem of natural representation that a woman identifies with. Its foundation clearly traces back to middle eastern heritage, and probably identifies most with a figurine of that culture.
The trade routes of Roman civilization seem to be very modern and ahead of the times, as this concept of other sea interaction feels more modern for this period of time, and also because perhaps you would assume that these societies lived quite isolated from other cultures. This statuette is the ivory carved link for historians to trace some of the earliest trade interactions, and also understand what types of aesthetics please the consumers of Indian products. The existence of the route between the Roman Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean also implies that not only products of other cultural heritage were exchanged, also ideas and concepts would have been swapped as well.
In more religious terms, this statuette could also represent the universal ideas that many people in the world have about women and their roles in society. A spirit that embodies both feminine ideals of Hindu and Roman religious beliefs thus cements the general stereotype that many had about women and what their bodies should look like. This statue also gives one a taste of the stylistic choices that many Romans made for their homes, and by purchasing and appreciating such fine craftwork, we get a sense that Romans had a very sophisticated view on foreign pieces, and generally had quite an elite opinion on exotic art.
Rae Etchells 8A
“This Indian statuette found in Pompeii adds to my understanding of Roman culture in the first century CE as it provides further evidence of extensive trade and different cultures in the Roman empire.
The Indian statuette is believed to be owned by a merchant and highlights the reach of Roman trade routes as it was believed to have originated from India but was found buried in Pompeii. While, some people see the Indian statuette as an Indian Venus or an Indian deity others see it as a yakshi (nature spirit).
Given the fact the Indian statuette was found in Pompeii, it further shows us how the Romans were open to and valued different religions and cultures and how they integrated these different ideas into their society.
Maya Gilby
8A
There are several different ways that this Indian statuette deepens my understanding of Roman culture.
One of these ways is that it shows complex trade routes from all over the world. To get to India, the Romans would need to travel down to Africa, and then through the Arabian gulf, before sailing across the Erythraean Sea, which would take months, and involve many hazards, including storms, and thieves. The fact that this would be the norm, so to speak, truly shows how complex the Roman trade routes were all across the world.
Even if this beautiful statuette was not made in India, but was made by an Indian migrant living in Pompeii, it still shows a rich and diverse culture and migrant population in Italy. If there was one person, there would be many. If we do look onto the Indian Statuette as an Indian Venus, or a Pompeii Lakshmi, it could show us a complex mixture of Indian and Roman culture, with gods from different pantheons weaving together in myths and stories, resulting in whole new deities to worship.
Next, I would like to divulge its purpose. There are multiple theories about what this statuette could have been used for. There is a hole going down from the top of the head, all the way to the navel. This implies that it was used for something like a mirror handle, or for a door. On the other hand, some historians think that it would be too heavy for these purposes, and was instead for a table leg extension. If it were used for any of these purposes, it expresses connotations of extreme extravagance, and perhaps frivolity, for spending money on something so impractical, suggesting that many rich people in Pompeii were pompous.
My final point is one that relates to the previous one, in the sense of purpose and frivolity. If we do indeed believe it to be a table leg, as many curators believe it to be, it shows a use of unique objects as conversation stimulators, for events such as dinner parties. Maybe it would be used in a complex strategy, politics-wise. If there was ever tension between several people att a dinner party, over ideologies, the conversation could be easily shifted back into less dangerous waters, by talking about the piece, and perhaps simulating a discussion about culture in foreign countries.
In conclusion, this ivory statuette found on via dell’Abbondanza tells us so much about the diverse culture, and extravagance/strategy of romans in the upper class, in Pompeii in the first century CE.
Lucy Mitchell 8B
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Even if this beautiful statuette was not made in India, but was made by an Indian migrant living in Pompeii, it still shows a rich and diverse culture and migrant population in Italy
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