The St. John’s College, Oxford Classics and Ancient History Essay Competition will be running for the fifteenth time during the academic year 2024/25. The competition is open to all UK students currently studying in Year 12 (Lower Sixth) or equivalent, whether or not they are currently studying a Classical or Ancient subject. All entrants are invited to apply for our Classics and Ancient History Subject Exploration Day at St John’s College, Oxford on Wednesday 23rd April 2025; see here for details.
Each student may submit one essay (only) of up to 2,000 words on any of the following four questions:
- Does ancient literature equate might with right?
- Why did monarchies succeed in Greek and/or Roman history?
- Was Plato right that the best rulers are reluctant ones?
- How important was the visual representation of women for expressing royal and/or imperial power in the ancient world?
Aims and Guidelines:
The competition gives UK students of any subjects, currently studying in Year 12 or equivalent, an opportunity to write an essay on the classical world. The organizers are interested in providing an occasion for independent research, to encourage curiosity and reflection in those who have studied the ancient world before and those who have not.
The essay titles have been chosen to take account of research interests of our tutors and to encourage the widest possible approach to investigation of the ancient world. A £100 book token will be awarded to the best essay in each category and an additional £75 book token to the overall winner. A separate prize of a £100 book token will be awarded to the best essay written by a student who has not previously studied a classical subject. All applicants will receive a certificate of entry.
All primary texts can be considered in translation or in the original language. Where either primary or secondary sources have been used they should be acknowledged with full references given. Word limit includes footnotes, but not the bibliography.
All essays should:
- Be word-processed with double-spaced lines.
- Include ONLY your initials and date of birth in your header or footer (to allow anonymous marking).
- Attached as a PDF.
- Be submitted, together with a cover sheet, by 4 pm on Monday 3rd March 2025 by email to access@sjc.ox.ac.uk, stating ‘Classics Essay Competition: [First Name] [Surname] Question [Number]’ in the subject line. A virtual cover sheet should also be completed.
For more details, reports from previous competitions, helpful resources, and virtual cover sheet, see here.