The Classics Department is delighted to host its Classics Seminars, providing a relaxed environment for students and staff to meet, present, and learn about fascinating ancient topics that extend beyond the curriculum. We got off to a magnificent start last week, with Esme inaugurating the seminar series for the year! Let’s hear what she has to say about the experience.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be able to deliver a seminar for the sixth form Classics Society on one of my favourite topics in the ancient world: mystery cults. My seminar focused on a Roman mystery cult called Mithras, which emerged in the first century AD and lasted until the fourth century. Despite being developed during the Roman Empire, this mystery cult included the worship of the Persian god Mithras, and had a central focus on the astrological representation of the universe.

Within my seminar, I discussed important elements of the mystery cult, such as the Mithraeum, which refers to the secretive, underground chambers where initiates would hold rituals and worship Mithras. When discussing my findings with Ms Lopresti, I was thrilled to discover that there is a Mithraeum in London, which is definitely worth a visit! I also explored the significance of The Tauroctony and the initiation rituals within the cult, and it was great to be able to share this information with the other members of the society.

I really enjoyed having the chance to present my findings to my fellow classics enthusiasts, and everyone was incredibly supportive and engaged. I would definitely recommend any other aspiring classicists to attend or hold their own classics seminar, as it is such a friendly environment to share interests and research with.

Esme, Upper VI