Classics and philosophy trip to Athens

Written by DG (Year 12) student Freya:

During the half term, classics and philosophy students embarked upon an unforgettable four-night trip to Athens. It was a brilliant trip packed with excursions and tours, intense philosophical discussions and great food!

A special excursion on the first day was a journey to Delphi, a 5,000-year-old site where the Ancient Greeks believed prophecies were made. Students were driven into the Greek mountains and saw the remains of a temple to Apollo, the god of prophecy, as well as an archaeological museum. An inscription near the ancient temple, aimed at those who were about to know their future, reads ‘Know Thyself’, and this sparked a thought-provoking discussion on its meaning and relevance today.

Back in Athens, students also had the amazing opportunity to walk around Kerameikos (an ancient graveyard) and, of course, the famous Acropolis. In the Acropolis Museum, students had a philosophical debate about whether the Parthenon Marbles should be returned from the British Museum to their place of origin. Walking around the Ancient Agora (marketplace) was another highlight of the trip, as well as seeing the archaeological museum and Aristotle’s Lyceum, where he taught his pupils thousands of years ago. On the last day, after a drive through the stunning Athenian Riviera, students visited Cape Sounion – an ancient temple to Poseidon overlooking the sea.

Overall, the trip was a fantastic experience – both enjoyable and educational!