The study of ancient languages and history used to dominate our education but is rare now; but there are lots of reasons to learn Latin and Greek and ancient history
Always happy to read your articles Eliot, even when I disagree with you (on the EU for instance!). I started Latin at 12 but never Greek. A pass in Latin was required for entry to all degrees in Ireland also. When this was removed (in the early seventies, I think), Latin teaching teaching fell off a cliff in Irish secondary schools. I believe only a handful teach it now. It's been largely replaced by a subject called Classical Civilisation which at least gives students some familiarity with the history and literature of ancient Rome and Greece. Some years ago, I speed read through The Odyssey (in translation) to assist my son with Classical Civilisation. My over riding memory is that every few pages Odysseus meets an old man who says "I knew your father. Let's have a party!". He then spends several pages recounting how many cattle were slaughtered and how many barrels of wine were opened for the party.
Always happy to read your articles Eliot, even when I disagree with you (on the EU for instance!). I started Latin at 12 but never Greek. A pass in Latin was required for entry to all degrees in Ireland also. When this was removed (in the early seventies, I think), Latin teaching teaching fell off a cliff in Irish secondary schools. I believe only a handful teach it now. It's been largely replaced by a subject called Classical Civilisation which at least gives students some familiarity with the history and literature of ancient Rome and Greece. Some years ago, I speed read through The Odyssey (in translation) to assist my son with Classical Civilisation. My over riding memory is that every few pages Odysseus meets an old man who says "I knew your father. Let's have a party!". He then spends several pages recounting how many cattle were slaughtered and how many barrels of wine were opened for the party.