After introductions from Kay and myself, we learned from Emeritus Professor Nick Fisher about the history of the branch, which has its beginnings in the nineteenth century, as he explains:
“The College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, and Chairs of Latin and Greek, had been founded in 1883, and a Classical Society “The Frogs” began in 1898/9; it transformed itself into the local branch of the CA in 1914, becoming the eighth CA branch. For the first 50 or so years it flourished, led by a number of impressive scholars – most worthy of mention perhaps being the Virgilian R G Austin and the formidable Irish philologist L.J.D. (Reekie) Richardson (1893-1979), whom I just was able to meet – or rather gawp in awe at – when he appeared at branch meetings in his last years.”
“In 1970 I came to University College Cardiff as it now had become, and its department of eight classicists; the first administrative job I was given was as treasurer of the local branch. The Department was then taking a major part in pioneering degree schemes in translation and its programmes in Classical Studies as well as Classics were just under way. Departmental leaders included Alfred Moritz, Peter Walcot and John Percival – all three, and above all John, were major players in the CA nationally. John was Secretary to the Council from 1979 to 1989 and Chair from 1990 to 1995, and Peter was (joint) editor of Greece & Rome for over three decades (1970-2001). Typical branch activities at the time were 5 or 6 scholars’ talks, delivered above all to devoted Latin and Classical Studies teachers in the local schools in Glamorgan and Gwent, and an annual schools day with talks aimed at those preparing for O and A levels – an intimidating gig for young lecturers as I recall, having to pretend to know something about Juvenal!”
Nick described how the revitalisation of the CA Conference came about in part thanks to the work of John Percival and Richard Seaford, and that, despite struggles during the 80-90s, with just three academics left to form the Ancient History department, staff numbers grew, the department enjoyed hosting a successful CA conference in 2010, and now looks forward to hosting the 15th Celtic Conference in July 2024, as well as the national AMPAH (Annual Meeting of Postgraduates in Ancient History) in April.
We were then treated to a panel discussion featuring local classicists with a host of different life experiences and interests: from the ‘two Carolines’ (Bristow and Musgrove), representing the Cambridge Schools Classics Project, who explored their educational backgrounds and current education and outreach work; to Cardiff University undergraduates Elijah Bees and Charlie Wallace who gave interesting insights into what drew them towards archaeology, despite not studying the subject before university; to Archaeology Professor David Roberts whose own early inspiration was Asterix! Annis Wilshire, fresh from their second Michaelmas term at Oxford University, shared their eclectic interests and newfound enthusiasm for understanding the Roman grain supply(!), whilst Isobel Jackson-Scibona talked about how her classical studies have supported her in her work now as Alumni and Events Officer at Cathedral School Llandaff.
All panellists were asked about their first experiences of Classics (do tell us yours!) – these ranged from school trips to Caerleon Fortress Baths to reading Percy Jackson or junior adaptations of Homer – as well as what makes it so engaging to them: what piques everyone’s interest is the breadth of Classics and its enduring relevance, the fact that there is something for everyone, that we can embrace the ‘weirdness’ of the ancient past, that it can feel so personal (as Elijah has found in his studies of Tunisian osteology) and that being involved in the teaching of classics can be not only life-enhancing, but sometimes even life-saving.
The final two speakers of the night were equally entertaining and left us eager for more: firstly, A. G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture Emeritus and President of the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies, Paul Cartledge, who took us on an intellectual odyssey, combining recollections with trivia, anecdote with keen insight, and encapsulating his life-long passion for understanding the past and how we should learn from, not deny, both the positive and negative impacts of classics. Finally, Mari Williams, former Classical Association President (2021) and winner of the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize in 2018 for her novel Ysbryd yr Oes (‘Spirit of the Age’), shared delightful memories (although sometimes secondary stress-inducing as she recalled sitting in examination halls!) of her classical journey, as an undergraduate at Cambridge University, then as a young teacher and her more recent teaching experiences using new textbooks like the CLC and Reading Greek. Her humour filled the room and brought the evening to a delightful close – which was then completed with proper Italian pizza from Scaramantica!
As we look forward to the Branch’s bright future, we hope that many new members will be keen to join this local community of classics enthusiasts – no prior experience needed, all welcome. To find out more, get in touch at cardiffcabranch@gmail.com.
