Reading Xenophon: Attic Greek
Duration: January 2024 – December 2024 (Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall)
Days/Times: Sundays, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Central (7-9 EST)
Frequency: 17 two-hour Sessions, approximately every two to three weeks, from January 2024 to December 2024
Archon: David Saussy
Text: Attica: Intermediate Classical Greek, by Cynthia Claxton (Xenophon’s Helenica)
+ Private Forum for course.
+ Access to Instructor through Private Forum messaging and other means.
+ Make-up lessons available
+ Class schedule calendar for planning ahead
Praise for Beginning Homeric Greek:
“Thank you for a great class, I never thought I’d be learning Greek! Introduction to Homeric Greek has been ideal for me as an adult beginner of Greek. The seminars with Mr. Saussy – and the study halls – provided structure and added help, but also accountability and something to look forward too. Translating the Iliad adds motivation as the text is not a mere exercise, but a Western masterpiece. I highly recommend this course.” -Erik B
“My favorite thing about this course in Homeric Greek is being able to tackle the challenge in a “no-threat/no fear” environment. This was my first attempt at an ancient language. It was intimidating but David Saussy set just the right setting for learning – positive, supportive, and collaborative. We learned together – the ones with Greek experience or language aptitude cheerfully helped those of us who struggled. Even as I struggled there was never a moment where I felt like I didn’t belong because we all belonged no matter our skill level. As long as you didn’t leave the battlefield, no Homeric Greek Warriors were left behind!” –Dawn S.
χαίρετε!
Our intention is that this leisurely course of study – and other opportunities like advanced courses and translation groups – is empowering for you and complements the conversation seminars you participate in and your own private reading. We want to do more than just offer courses, but help to build and support a community around the love of learning ancient languages like Greek.
This pathway in Attic Greek was designed for those with some basic familiarity with ancient Greek, either through our Beginning Homeric Greek or elsewhere. But an ambitious beginner might join us as well.
Our focus will be reading text in Greek, in particular Xenophon’s Hellenica. The Hellenica takes up the story of the fall of Athens at the point where Thucydides’ own account in the Peloponnesian War concludes.
We will make use of a text by Cynthia L. Claxton, the purpose of which is to get us immersed in the world and thought of Xenophon and Athens in the original language as soon as possible.
During each two hour session, we will face the Greek together, moving through the text, sharing translations, raising and answering questions, and engaged in a collaborative learning pursuit.
This pathway of ancient Greek learning will meet generally twice a month on regular days/evening times. Students have daily/weekly access to instructor by means of a private forum for any questions or problems that arise. One-on-one “office hours” for make-up lessons are offered in the event that students miss any regularly scheduled sessions. No refunds on payments rendered, but credit is offered for students who wish to try again the following year. Discount on regular cost available for subscribers of Slow Reading Program.
