Koios Education

This reading list has been compiled from official pre-reading lists and course materials from Oxford (Balliol and Somerville Colleges) and Cambridge. It is designed to help A Level students prepare for undergraduate Classics studies, covering Greek and Latin literature, ancient history, philosophy, and classical civilization. The most important task before university is to advance your knowledge of Classical literature and Greek/Latin language.

OXFORD – BALLIOL COLLEGE

Critical Guidance: The most important task is to advance your knowledge of Classical literature and Greek/Latin language. Nothing beats reading texts in the original language.

Read in translation (multiple times):

  • Homer, Odyssey (complete) – Translations: Penguin by A. de Sélincourt (revised by J. Marincola) OR Oxford World’s Classics by R. Waterfield and C. Dewald
  • Euripides, Bacchae – Translations: Penguin by J. Davie (Euripides, The Bacchae and Other Plays, 2005) OR Oxford World’s Classics by J. Morwood (1999)
  • Aristophanes, Lysistrata

Students with A-level Greek also read IN GREEK:

  • Homer, Odyssey Books 9 and 12
  • Euripides, Bacchae lines 1-368
  • Aristophanes, Lysistrata lines 1-253

Greek Literature – Recommended Editions

Homer

  • Text: Allen, T.S. and Monro, D.B. (1920), Homeri Opera: Tomi III-IV (Oxford OCT)
  • Commentary: Bakker, E.J. (2024), Homer. Odyssey IX (Cambridge)
  • Introductory Reading: Rutherford, R.B. (2013), Homer (Greece & Rome New Surveys in the Classics), 2nd ed.

Euripides

  • Text and Commentary: Allan, W. and Swift, L. (2024), Bacchae (Cambridge)
  • Introductory Reading: Mastronarde, D.J. (2010), The Art of Euripides (Cambridge)

Aristophanes

  • Text and Commentary: Henderson, J. (1990), Aristophanes: Lysistrata (Oxford)
  • Introductory Reading: Robson, J. (2009), Aristophanes, an Introduction (London)

Lucian

  • Text: Macleod, M.D. (1972), Luciani Opera: Tomus I (Oxford OCT)
  • Commentary: Clay, D. & Brusuelas, H. (2021), Lucian: True History (Oxford)

Latin Literature – Familiarization (If Time Permits)

Read in translation to familiarize yourself with texts you will study in second term:

  • Plautus, Menaechmi – Segal, C. (2008), Plautus. Four Comedies (Oxford World Classics)
  • Terence, Adelphoe – Brown, P. (2009), Terence. The Comedies (Oxford)
  • Catullus – Goold, G.P. (2017), Catullus. Tibullus. Pervigilium Veneris OR (2009), Catullus (2nd edition)
  • Ovid, Metamorphoses 7-9 – Martin, C. (2005), Ovid. Metamorphoses (London) OR Kenney, E.J. and Melville, A.D. (2008), Ovid. Metamorphoses (Oxford World’s Classics)
  • Seneca, Epistulae Morales 24, 33, 47, 64, 86 – Fantham, E. (2010), Seneca. Selected Letters (Oxford World’s Classics)
  • Seneca, De Brevitate Vitae – Reinhardt, T. and Davie, J. (2008), Seneca. Dialogues and Essays (Oxford World’s Classics)
  • Tacitus, Annales XV.60-70 – Woodman, A.D. (2008), Tacitus. The Annals (London)

Ancient History

For overview combining literature, art and history:

  • Boardman, J., Griffin, J. and Murray, O. (eds.) (1986), The Oxford History of the Ancient World – Available in two paperback volumes: Greek and Roman

Key Period Surveys:

  • Murray, O. (1993), Early Greece (2nd ed.) – Inspiring and elegantly written work on Archaic Greece to Persian Wars
  • Hornblower, S. (2011), The Greek World (4th ed.) – Punchy, full of sharp ideas and evidence, masterly outline
  • Goodman, M. (2011), A History of the Roman World from 44 B.C. — A.D. 180 (2nd ed.) – Particularly good on broad sweep of Roman Empire to Eastern Mediterranean
  • Beard, M. (2015), SPQR. A History of Ancient Rome – Engaging, popular and very well written

Philosophy Preparation

Critical Guidance: No prior knowledge expected. Reading philosophy is hard – proceed slowly and carefully, taking notes every few pages. You will need to read texts at least twice to understand completely. Do not try to read many books.

General Introductions

  • Blackburn, S. (1999), Think (Oxford)
  • Nagel, J. (2014), Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford)
  • Conee, E. and Sider, T. (2014), Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics (Oxford)

Logic (If Choosing This Option)

  • Halbach, V. (2009), The Logic Manual (Oxford) – The textbook used in the Introduction to Logic course
  • Hodges, W. (2001), Logic (2nd ed.) – More elementary and less abstract, may be more helpful as starting point

Ancient Philosophy

Best approach: Just read Plato’s dialogues. Start with Euthyphro and Apology, then move to Phaedo, Crito, and Meno.

  • Irwin, T. (1989), Classical Thought (Oxford) – Highly recommended introduction to ancient philosophy
  • Barnes, J. (2000), Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford) – Different style of philosophy from Plato
  • Cooper, J.M. (2012), Pursuits of Wisdom (Princeton) – Introduction to ancient ethics; Chapters 2 and 5 helpful for Plato and Cicero papers

OXFORD – SOMERVILLE COLLEGE

Critical Guidance: Very strongly recommend spending a little time each day consolidating language knowledge through systematic learning of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Make word-lists as you read to increase vocabulary.

Texts & Contexts: Four Key Topics

Topic 1: The Persian Wars and Cultural Identities

Core Texts

  • Herodotus 7.1-53, 8.56-110 (for translation)
  • Aeschylus, Persians
  • Herodotus 1.1-32, 131-40; 3.61-88, 150-160; 7.54-239; 8.1-55 (know in translation)
  • Bisitun Inscription of Darius 1-15, 51-76

Recommended Editions

  • Herodotus Text: Oxford Classical Text ed. N.G. Wilson
  • Herodotus Book 8 Commentary: Bowie, A.M. (2007) (Cambridge)
  • Herodotus Translation: Penguin by A. de Sélincourt (revised by J. Marincola) OR Oxford World’s Classics by R. Waterfield and C. Dewald. Do NOT use Tom Holland (2014) – too free.
  • Aeschylus Persians: Edition with translation by E. Hall (Aris and Phillips) OR Oxford World’s Classics by C. Collard

Topic 2: Dionysus, Drama, and Athens

Core Texts

  • Euripides, Bacchae (complete)
  • Aristophanes, Frogs (complete)

Recommended Editions

  • Euripides Bacchae Text: E.R. Dodds (Oxford, 2nd ed., 1960) – includes commentary, available online via Oxford Scholarly Editions
  • Euripides Translation: Penguin by J. Davie (2005) OR Oxford World’s Classics by J. Morwood (1999, available online via Bodleian)
  • Aristophanes Frogs Text: Oxford Classical Text ed. N.G. Wilson (2007)
  • Aristophanes Commentary: K. Dover (Oxford, 1993, also in Student Edition with vocabulary) – available online via Oxford Scholarly Editions
  • Aristophanes Alternative: Sommerstein, A.H. (Aris and Phillips) – includes translation

Topic 3: Love and Luxury

Core Texts

  • Cicero, pro Caelio 17-53
  • Catullus 1-16, 31-7, 42-5, 48-51, 53, 69-70, 75-6, 79, 83-6, 95, 99-101, 116
  • Propertius 1.1-3, 6, 11, 14
  • Additional: Remainder of pro Caelio, Catullus 64.31-266, remainder of Propertius 1

Recommended Editions

  • Cicero pro Caelio Text: R.G. Austin (Oxford, 3rd ed., 1960)
  • Cicero Commentary: A. Dyck (Cambridge, 2013) – more up-to-date
  • Cicero Translation: D.H. Berry, Cicero: Defence Speeches (Oxford World’s Classics, 2017) – available online via Bodleian
  • Catullus Text: Oxford Classical Text ed. R.A.B. Mynors – available online via Oxford Scholarly Editions
  • Catullus Commentary: K. Quinn (Macmillan/Bristol Classical Press)
  • Catullus Translation: G. Lee (Oxford World’s Classics)
  • Propertius Text: Oxford Classical Text ed. S.J. Heyworth (2007) – available online
  • Propertius Commentary: W.A. Camps (Cambridge) OR R.J. Baker (Aris and Phillips, includes translation)

Topic 4: Class

Core Texts

  • Petronius, Cena Trimalchionis 26.7-36, 47-78
  • Juvenal 3, 5 (for translation)
  • Additional: Remainder of Cena Trimalchionis, Juvenal 1, 4, 6, 7, 9
  • Pliny, Epistulae 7.29, 8.6
  • Tacitus, Annals 14.42-5

Recommended Editions

  • Petronius Text and Commentary: M.S. Smith (Oxford, 1975) – available online via Oxford Scholarly Editions
  • Petronius Complete Commentary: G. Schmeling (Oxford, 2011) – available online
  • Petronius Translation: P.G. Walsh (Oxford World’s Classics, 1997) – available online
  • Juvenal Text and Commentary: S.M. Braund, Satires Book I (Cambridge, 1996)
  • Pliny Translation: P.G. Walsh (Oxford World’s Classics, 2006) – available online
  • Tacitus Translation: Penguin by Cynthia Damon (2012) – very good

CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge’s reading list offers insight into all areas of classical study, including many books written by Cambridge academics. This list is designed for anyone interested in studying Classics.

Philosophy

  • Adamson, P., Classical Philosophy (A History of Philosophy without Any Gaps vol. 1) (Oxford: OUP 2014) – Also available free at http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/Classical
  • Adamson, P., Philosophy in the Hellenistic and Roman Worlds (A History of Philosophy without Any Gaps vol. 2) (Oxford: OUP 2015) – Also available free at http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/later-antiquity
  • Annas, J., Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP 2000)
  • Shields, C., Ancient Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction (Abingdon/New York: Routledge 2012)

General Introduction to Classics

  • Beard, M. and Henderson, J., Classics: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP 2000)
  • Spivey, N., Classical Civilization: Greeks & Romans in 10 Chapters (London: Head of Zeus 2016)
  • Taplin, O. (ed.), Literature in the Ancient World (Oxford: OUP 2001)

Greek History and Society

  • Cartledge, P., The Greeks: A Portrait of Self and Others (Oxford: OUP 2002)
  • Cartledge, P., Ancient Greece: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP 2011)
  • Osborne, R. (ed.), Classical Greece (Short Oxford History of Europe vol. 1) (Oxford: OUP 2000)
  • Osborne, R., Greek History: The Basics (Abingdon/New York: Routledge 2014)
  • Davidson, J., Courtesans and Fishcakes: The Consuming Passions of Classical Athens (London: Fontana 1997)

Roman History and Society

  • Beard, M., The Parthenon (London: Profile 2002)
  • Kelly, C., The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP 2006)
  • Patterson, J., Political Life in the City of Rome (Bristol: BCP 2000)

Art and Archaeology

  • Bowkett, L., Hill, S., and Wardle, D. & K.A., Classical Archaeology in the Field: Approaches (Bristol: BCP 2001)
  • Osborne, R., Archaic and Classical Greek Art (Oxford: OUP 1998)
  • Vout, C., Sex on Show: Seeing the Erotic in Greece and Rome (London/Berkeley: Uni. of California 2013)

Language and Literature

  • Chadwick, J., The Decipherment of Linear B (2nd edition, Cambridge: CUP 2014)
  • Clackson, J., Language and Society in the Greek and Roman Worlds (Cambridge: CUP 2015)
  • Deutscher, G., The Unfolding of Language: An Evolutionary Tour of Mankind’s Greatest Invention (London: Heinemann 2005)
  • Whitmarsh, T., Ancient Greek Literature (Cambridge: Polity 2004)

Mythology

  • Morales, H., Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP 2007)