Thursday 11th December
Lecture on "Classics Into Film: Part II",
by Dr Richard Hayes, Assistant Registrar, Waterford Institute of Technology

Followed by Christmas Party (details to be confirmed at AGM)

All events begin at 7.30 p.m., and are in Room HA06 n the College Street Campus.

Because of reduced budget, we will be continuing to charge an entry free of €4 to our events. This will include tea/coffee & biscuits

Cork Branch Christmas Party:
Dinner at Scozzis, off Patrick Street

“Aspects of North Africa, historical and visual” by Christine Shine

Venue: Cork Education Centre, Western Road

Virgil Aeneid Book 1V 296-330 At Regina...viderer, 362-396 Talia dicentem...revisit, 408-449 quis tibi...inanes.

Leader:Professor Andrew Smith

Room K217, School of Classics, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4

CAI Presidential Address 2008:
“Classics as a Subject" by Professor Niall Rudd

The Jack Henderson memorial award will also be presented.

Venue: Belvedere College, 6 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1
Time: Nov. 21st, 8pm

Please note, there is no parking in Belvedere College on the night of the presidential address. Parking is available in the Q-Park, Clerys Car Park in Marlborough Street, Dublin 1. Access is from Sean MacDermott Street. The cost is €6.

Thursday November 20th
Lecture on "Black Market Babies in Classical Athens?", by Dr Kieran McGroarty, School of Classics, NUI, Maynooth

All events begin at 7.30 p.m., and are in Room HA06 n the College Street Campus.

Because of reduced budget, we will be continuing to charge an entry free of €4 to our events. This will include tea/coffee & biscuits

The RIA National Committee for Greek and Latin Studies presents a colloquium on

WAR AND SOCIETY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
13–14 November 2008
Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 Read More...

Latin Reading: Livy Book 21, 3-4 In Hastrubalis locum...
Leader: Robin Miller
Room K217 School of Classics, UCD, Belfield

Lecture on Friday the 17th October 2008 at 8.00 p.m.
Dr. Anthony Harvey of The Royal Irish Academy will give a lecture “The Sorceror's Apprentice Writes a Latin Dictionary”.
Venue: Room K217, The School of Classics UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4.

Thursday October 16th
Branch AGM

Followed by Play Reading of Aristophanes' Wasps, led by Dr Rachel Finnegan
(texts will be provided)

All events begin at 7.30 p.m., and are in Room HA06 n the College Street Campus.

Because of reduced budget, we will be continuing to charge an entry free of €4 to our events. This will include tea/coffee & biscuits

The Classical Association have announced an Academy in Ancient Greek and Latin, starting in September 2008, which aims to focus on teaching school children who do not normally have access to the classical languages.

Classes will commence the week of Monday 15th September and run for twelve weeks up to Christmas, with four Saturdays classes. They run after school, lasting for one and a half hours, from 4.30-6.00 p.m. (this may vary locally).
Pupils will be required to attend one session per week, plus one Saturday morning workshop of three hours each month.

Go to www.caiteachers.com to download an application form and brochure.


Intensive Language Courses in Greek and Latin

After their successful reintroduction last year the Association has arranged beginners and intermediate courses in both Latin and Greek to be held from 23rd June to 4th July in Trinity College Dublin. The purpose of the courses is to provide an opportunity for those with little or no knowledge of Latin or ancient Greek to acquire a foundation in the language in a brief period of intensive study. The courses will be taught by experienced language teachers and will consist of three fifty minute classes per day with intervals for study between sessions. The cost will be €200 (or €100 for undergraduates, school students, unwaged and pensioners).
Application forms can be downloaded language-courses-2008.pdf
Alternatively contact Professor Andrew Smith, 9 Dargle Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. Further enquiries to the above address and at Andrew.smith@ucd.ie

7.30pm  - Virgil's Aeneid, speaker, Jo O'Connor.
8.45pm, Roman Remains,our annual slide show, courtesy of Christine Shine.

“Odysseus and Heroic Traditions”
8pm K217 in School of Classics, UCD, Dublin 4.

Trip will stop at:
Ashtown Park Hotel, Gorey
Enniscorthy 1798 Museum
Wexford town for lunch
Lady’s Island Lake and the Knights Templars

Details to be confirmed later.

“Ulixes Redux: why the Island called Ithaki today, is Homer’s Ithaca”,
By Prof. George Huxley, emeritus Professor of Greek, Q.U. Belfast.

N.B. It is advisable to have re-read Homer’s Odyssey in preparation for
Prof. Huxley’s lecture. The Penguin edition of this work is widely available.

All lectures will take place at 8 p.m. in the Limerick Education Centre, Parkway, Dublin Road.

On our first night in Tripoli we dined al fresco at Athar Restaurant beside the triumphal arch of Marcus Aurelius built of enormous blocks of white marble in 163AD and dedicated to the joint emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. In his 1903 book Travels in Tripolitania Henri Méhier de Mathuisieulx describes the arch as being half buried in the ground and used as a tavern with three of its arches bricked in and owing its continued existence to the superstitious belief that it was protected by a curse threatening both the individual who dared to damage it and the city itself with ruin. The arch, freed from the earth, can be seen today in all its splendour, the only visible survivor of ancient Oea’s roman past.
Tripolitania’s two other cities Sabratha and Leptis Magna were devastated by earthquakes and invasion and buried in the sand in late antiquity thus ensuring the survival of the extensive ruins that can be seen today. The magnificent theatre of Sabratha was reconstructed by Italian archaeologists in the 1930s. The pulpitum is decorated with very fine carvings in marble, depicting among other images Rome as an Amazon warrior greeting Sabratha identified by her high crown and a figure thought to be that of the emperor Septimus Severus pouring a libation. Mausoleum B exhibiting both Punic and Hellenistic elements and attributed to the 3rd or early 2nd century BC was also rebuilt by the Italians. Its metopes depict both Bes and Hercules taming lions and the three consoles supported by lions still show traces of the kuroi, that once surmounted them. Read More...

“Medea, Women and Aliens”
by Prof. Eva Cantarella

UCD Industry Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4 at 8:30pm

7.30pm - The Religion of Ancient Rome speaker, Deirdre Mahony
8.45pm - Ancient Roman Gardens, speaker, Nancy Hunter.

Date: Friday, March 28th
Venue:  Room K217, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4
Leader:  Gearoid O Broin
Text:  Horace  Journey to Brundisium (Satires 1.5)

Classical Association of Ireland Archaeological Tour of Libya: Centenary Year- Easter 2008
**PLEASE NOTE THAT PLACES ON THE TOUR ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED & THERE IS ALREADY A LONG WAITING LIST**

Itinerary

Monday 17 March
Fly Dublin/Tripoli- Tripoli

Tuesday 18 March
Sabratha and museum- Tripoli

Wednesday 19 March
Tripoli – Jamahiriya Museum and Arch of Marcus Aurelius. Fly to Benghazi- Benghazi

Thursday 20 March
Tucheira and Ptolemais Cyrene

Friday 21 March
Cyrene and Museum- Cyrene

Saturday 22 March
Qasr Ben Gdam and Qasr Libya- Cyrene

Sunday 23 March
Apollonia- Cyrene

Monday 24 March
Al Bayda fort and sanctuary of Asclepius. Drive to Benghazi
Fly to Tripoli- TripolI

Tuesday 25 March
Leptis Magna; villa at Zliten- Al Khoms

Wednesday 26 March
Leptis Magna; Villa Silin- Al Khoms

Thursday 27 March
Ghirza, defended farmsteads and Beni Walid- Roman mausolea

Friday 28 March
Drive back to Tripoli- Tripoli

Saturday 29 March
Morning visit to Old City (Medina)
Fly from Tripoli to Dublin

At last we can send you the details of the 2008 centenary year tour of Libya. The tour will take us from west to east along the coast beginning and ending in Tripoli. The itinerary starts with two nights in Tripoli: the first day will be spent exploring the site and museum at Sabratha and the second at the Jamahiraya museum and arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tripoli. We will then fly to Benghazi and, after overnighting there, will make Cyrene our centre for visits to the sites of Tucheira, Ptolemais, Cyrene, Qasr Bani Gdam, Qasr Libya and Apollonia. On our way back to Benghazi we will visit Al Bayda and the sanctuary of Asclepius. After flying back to Tripoli we will overnight there and then spend two nights in Al Khoms from where we will visit Leptis Magna, the Villa Silin and the villa at Zliten. The next day we will make our way inland and travel about two hundred kilometres south to the oasis town of Beni Walid. The next day we will transfer to four-wheel drive vehicles for a trip of about one hundred and fifty kilometres to Ghirza in the semi-desert where we will see striking Roman mausolea and defended farmsteads. On the way there will be an opportunity to notice some of the installations of the Great Man-Made River Project which pipes water from deep under the desert three thousand kilometres to the northern coastal area. Finally we will return to Tripoli for our flight home. Please note that small changes may have to be made to the itinerary according to circumstances.

Hotel accommodation is on a full-board basis. It should be noted that some of the hotel accommodation in Libya is relatively simple as the tourist industry is just beginning to develop. Food is good and straightforward but do not expect haute cuisine. As on other tours midday meals will be taken in small restaurants or as picnics. It is useful to bring a cup, plate, knife, fork and spoon. Please note that alcoholic drink is totally forbidden in Libya.

As the site tours involve a certain amount of walking, sometimes over rough ground, it is advisable to bring a pair of stout walking shoes. In due course we will send you more travel advice and a list of suitable preparatory reading matter.

As usual it is expected that participants will be paid-up members of the Classical Association. Unfortunately due to rising oil prices and the resultant increased airline fuel tariffs the cost of the tour will be a little higher than we originally anticipated. It is €2100 with a deposit of €250 payable on booking. Insurance is not included in the price and participants will need to arrange their own cover. Only a very limited number of single rooms is available at a supplement of €395.

“The Classical Taste of William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough”,
By Dr. Rachel Finnegan, Dept. of Humanities, Waterford I.T.

All lectures will take place at 8 p.m. in the Limerick Education Centre, Parkway, Dublin Road.

7.30pm - Roman Mosaics, speaker Jennifer O'Donoghue.
8.45pm,  The Jewish Wars, speaker Jerry McCarthy .

“The Night Sky in Classical Times”

8pm in Sligo Education Centre (at Sligo I.T.).

“Problems of the 1st Century A.D. Christians in Rome”,
by Rev. Dr. Michael Mullins, Dept. of Scripture & Theology,
Pontifical University, Maynooth.


All lectures will take place at 8 p.m. in the Limerick Education Centre, Parkway, Dublin Road.

“Much more savage than most of the savages- re-reading Frazer’s The Golden Bough”
8pm at the Royal Society of Antiquities in Ireland, 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

“SPQR: Roman Influence on Limerick Local Government”,by Dr. Matthew Potter (U.L.)

All lectures will take place at 8 p.m. in the Limerick Education Centre, Parkway, Dublin Road.

7.30pm - Art in Ancient Rome
8.45pm - Roman Architecture, speaker Carlo Sidoti

On Monday, February 4th the Cork branch were treated to a delightful tour through the Monuments of Rome by Snr Carlo Sidoti, a native of the eternal city who grew up in the shadow of many of the world's greatest buildings.
We started with the Temple of Vesta with its Etruscan influence of steps to the front. (Greek temples have steps all around them) Next on the list was the Temple of Fortuna and we learned that the Romans were the originators of the fire brigade in the Emperor Nero's time. Wooden buildings, insulae were the norm for private use and their proximity to each other encouraged the spread of fire. The building of the Colosseum was another mechanical feat because the marsh area of Nero's pond had to be drained before the foundations could be laid.
An interesting point was made that  the Colosseum was a level building in contrast to the Greek theatre style buildings which were all positioned on slopes. The Arch of Titus, the Theatre of Marcellus. Trajan's Column and the Pantheon were also discussed before we moved to the Christian era. Here we looked at the Basilica of Santa Sabina and that of Santa Maria Maggiore.
A truly delightful evening, the conclusion of which made one long to hop on a flight to Rome and check out all the sites 'in the flesh'. 
Jennifer O’Donoghue, Cork Branch

Would you like to learn some Latin?
If you studied Latin years ago, would you like to revive your knowledge of it? Would you like then to pass this knowledge on to others?
If you are a teacher of Latin, would you like to join a Latin teaching revolution?

Announcing a ‘Minimus’ Latin Training Day on Saturday, February 2, in Alexandra College! No prior knowledge of Latin Required!

For information about Minimus see: www.minimus.com
On 15 November last the Classics Department of Alexandra College held the fifth annual Eithne Ryan Memorial Lecture. Our speaker was Barbara Bell, whose lecture was entitled ‘Minimus: The Mouse That Made Latin Cool’.

Mrs. Bell teaches Classics in Clifton High School in Bristol and is the Director of the Primary Latin Project, which seeks to promote Latin among primary school children all over the world. She is, of course, most celebrated as the author of the phenomenally successful Minimus and Minimus Secundus textbooks. These books, and their mouse hero Minimus, have become a publishing sensation. Having started a Roman revolution in Britain and having spread the learning of Latin to thousands of British primary schools where Latin had not been taught before, Minimus is now an International project, used widely throughout the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as Europe. An Italian version was published in March 2007, and a German version may be in the pipeline. The books have also been used by adult students (up to 80 years of age and beyond!) who have wished to begin (or to renew) their study of Latin with an entertaining and accessible course. The books are so designed that even those who have never studied Latin previously, once they have completed a training day, can use them to teach Latin.

Mrs. Bell has very kindly agreed to return to Ireland to hold a ‘Minimus’ Training Day for any who are interested. It will take place from 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, in Alexandra College (in Milltown, Dublin 6). No previous knowledge of Latin is required. The training day will begin at 10.00 a.m. and finish at 4.30 p.m. (with breaks). There will be an overall look at the content of the book; an account of why it was written, and of how and where it is being used; a review of what supports exist for teachers of Minimus; and a demonstration lesson on how the first Minimus lesson might be taught. There will also be a talk on the crosscurricular nature of the course.

Inevitably, costs are incurred in holding such an event. In order to defray these, and to subsidize Mrs. Bell’s travel expenses, we are asking participants to pay a nominal fee of €40.

If you wish to attend, please print out this page and return the enrollment form below, together with a cheque for €40, made payable to Alexandra College. Alternatively, you may email your intention to attend to 1031@alexandracollege.ie and pay on the day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I, (name, please print), wish to attend the ‘Minimus’ Latin Training Day in Alexandra College on Saturday, February 2, 2008. I enclose a cheque for €40, made payable to Alexandra College.
Signature:
Date:

In October, we had an illustrated talk by Jennifer O'Donoghue which focused on Greek Art. Our journey took us on an exploration of Greek coins, jewellery, vases and sculpture. It is amazing how many things around us have their origns in things Greek. The ammount of Greek black on red, or white on black figure vases throughout the world in truely amazing. The attention to detail and the fact that many vases reflected the myths or perhaps the myths evolved from the vases is an intresting thought.
On the sculpture side of things, the development of the statue from the very early korai was traced and I wonder how many builders or new home owners who want a portico with grecian type colums and capitals are aware of their origins? One would love to think, many, but reality forces me to say, few!
 
November saw us treated to an overview of Greek writers and the speaker, Jo O'Connor focused on the role of women in Greek literature. The early writers, Hesiod and Homer were mentioned and the theory that the gods created an impossible environment for man to live in was expounded. In Greek tragedy, the treatment of death and death by women from their own hands was looked at. Through drama, women got to the fore of society, otherwise they were non-entities! The glory of a woman was to have no glory, though I doubt such sentiments would find support in today's society. Clemetestra was described as "a woman, with a man's mind" Roll on the power of the woman!!!
 
December saw us treated to "From Lilith to Lorena, the Classical Connection and Anamnesis, in the memory of Plato." The speaker was Jerry McCarthy who waxed lyrical about the greeks who thought of every aspect of human existence, not only from the cradle to the grave, but even of life before birth and life after death.
Socrates believed in immortality and also that an unexamined life was not worth living, no wonder they forced him to drink hemlock! An interesting bit of information is that in the U.S. a  group in favour of euthanasia are called the 'Hemlock movement.'
One of the other elements to come from this lecture is that Lilith, the first wife of Adam, (of Adam and Eve fame) was created of the night, a sucobus, an equal of man. Alas, the Rabbi preferred Eve as they considered her more demure and deferential. Now we know where Jane Austin got her heroines from!!
The first part of this talk concluded with the recounting of the story of Lorena Bobitt, (men beware!!) and the severing of matramonial bliss in 1993. The analogy was drawn between Ms.Bobett and Circe, the destruction of men was the goal.
The second part of the evening followed on the same vein where Mr McCarthy recounted the faithfulness or faithlesness of the seven women who had the pleasure or misfortune to bump into Odysseus. The evening concluded with a recipe for blackpuddens made of moley flowers, though the very erudite Mr James Joyce was said to believe the moley was a cure for rather unseemly activities, as a delicately nurtured female, modesty prevents me from elaborating further!!!
 
The Cork Branch enjoyed a very successful first term, the focus on all things Greek seemed to go down well and we are all looking forward to an even more enlightening spring/summer term where we focus on Rome and all things Roman.  
 
I'm sending a copy to Kate for the newsletter as well,
 
Happy Christmas and have a good 2008
 
Jennifer

7.30pm - A look at the history of ancient Rome, speaker Mary Doyle
8.45pm, Aspects of the Late Empire: speaker Dr David Woods.

On December 6th, the Cork Branch Christmas party was held in Scozzi's. (For those of you not familiar with Cork and I shudder to think that people like this exist!!! Scozzi's is a cheap and cheerful establishment down a side street near Brown Thomas, so when you are next 'in town' you can sample their delights, put in it your diary for the summer school 2009!!) Great fun was had by the members, some of whom were heard to express they hadn't such a great night out in a long time . The excellent thing was, that our new members came and joined in the celebrations, no longer new, they are part of the gang now! Congrats to Mary Doyle, our Secretary for organising it, alas, the photos taken that night (by me) were not fit for human viewing, oh well, something had to go wrong, the best made plans of mice and men etc....