The Classics Society Mk II

Hi all. I've applied for Ancient History for 2012.. Wondering if anyone goes to Liverpool/Manchester as these are my top two choices and I'm not sure which one I like more? Has anyone got an opinion on which one would be better? My key interest is the late Roman Republic. X

I studied classics at Manchester, and am very happy to recommend the department and its staff -- but I also know that Liverpool is a decent university too (although I'm of course inevitably biased towards Manchester) -- and there are quite a few academics who study/teach various aspects of Republican history (to be fair, I think almost all classics departments will have at least more than one, since it's pretty much central to what they do). So go to the open days, if you can, and see which university you like best firsthand. Where else are you applying to (since I presume you're not just going to apply to those two)?

Aemiliana here studies ancient history at Manchester now, so she may have a more relevant opinion to add. I think we've got some Liverpudlians out in the ether too.

I go to Manchester. Late Roman Republic The guy who teaches Roman Republic is amazing - Tim Parkin. Makes early morning lectures worth going to

I studied classics at Manchester, and am very happy to recommend the department and its staff -- but I also know that Liverpool is a decent university too (although I'm of course inevitably biased towards Manchester) -- and there are quite a few academics who study/teach various aspects of Republican history (to be fair, I think almost all classics departments will have at least more than one, since it's pretty much central to what they do). So go to the open days, if you can, and see which university you like best firsthand. Where else are you applying to (since I presume you're not just going to apply to those two)?

Aemiliana here studies ancient history at Manchester now, so she may have a more relevant opinion to add. I think we've got some Liverpudlians out in the ether too.

Haven't seen many other 2012 applicants, where are they hiding? (I'm avoiding my Iliad re-read for interview prep because the Catalogue of Ships makes my brain hurt...)

I've also applied to Royal Holloway, Reading & Swansea. And I have been to Liverpool but I've looked at Manchester a lot over the internet and stuff and it just looks really good. But yeah I think I'll go on the open days before I do make my choice.

And thanks Aemiliana, it's good to hear positive things about it.

Haven't seen many other 2012 applicants, where are they hiding? (I'm avoiding my Iliad re-read for interview prep because the Catalogue of Ships makes my brain hurt...)

Hi long time no talk

Did you get your interview at Cambridge then?

Hello, I'm one

Yep, it's next Tuesday and Wednesday. Getting a bit frantic now. Doesn't help that I've got an EPQ presentation the week after... Just gotta re-read some Aristophanes and tidy up my notes for easy reference (I don't think they'll ask too much on things I know, but at least I can say I've done all I could)

Think I saw on the UNIQ group that you got your Oxford one? When is it?

I had a history mock today (on Soviet history ), didn't study for it at all, spent the time reading classicsy books and philosophy. Supposedly have a maths mock the Tuesday after my interviews but it's unlikely any work'll be done for that either


6-9th beginning to regret only booking hand luggage now though

I go to Manchester. Late Roman Republic The guy who teaches Roman Republic is amazing - Tim Parkin. Makes early morning lectures worth going to

Tim makes deathly hungover 10ams feel like meadow walks. <3 his voice.

I had a history mock today (on Soviet history ), didn't study for it at all, spent the time reading classicsy books and philosophy. Supposedly have a maths mock the Tuesday after my interviews but it's unlikely any work'll be done for that either


6-9th beginning to regret only booking hand luggage now though

Hand luggage only? Have fun with that...
Ox don't tell you times or anything, do they? Have you got interviews at other colleges? I know I've got my three proper interviews on Tuesday afternoon (and it's a relatively short drive), then staying in college Tuesday night but because the Wednesday is all linguistic (aptitude test, with lesson before and feedback after) I don't have to be going out of my mind still preparing Tuesday night and can just enjoy being in college The Hellenist interview should be quite fun but I'm apprehensive about the Romanist one, all I can say is that the Aeneid was so underwhelming I stopped halfway through...

gtfo i love the Aeneid

I may have interviews at other colleges, but I'll have two at LMH, one on the set texts I've done for A level and any other reading I've done, and another with the philosophy tutors ()

It's awkward because I mainly talked about Greek lit in my PS but i'm starting to prefer Latin literature....

and another with the philosophy tutors ()

The propaganda element is so strong as to be almost sickly... But I might just be too attached to the Iliad - one of the assessment objectives for English Lit is that you should discuss "language, structure and form" [whatever they mean] as well as context and interpretations, and the Iliad is the first text I'd do that with willingly

The Philosophy one was actually the one I enjoyed most, I could have talked to the man for ages

I love propaganda though, generally. Was pretty interested in constructivist art when I was younger too, don't have to believe in Stalinism to appreciate it

I like the Iliad too. Haven't looked at it since the summer though, must glance it again