Lower Sixth Classical Civilisation student, Sally Edser, has been awarded a Highly Commended in the Newnham Classics Essay Prize (University of Cambridge).
Sally is planning to study Classics at university, and her essay title was: ‘We know both a lot more and a lot less about Pompeii than we think’ (Mary Beard). Could the same be said about Troy? Her essay examined literary evidence about Troy (such as Homer’s renowned epic, the Iliad) as well as contemporary sources, from ancient Hittite records to archaeological evidence.
Mary Beard, described as “Britain’s best-known classicist” is Professor of Classics at Cambridge and a fellow of Newnham college. Dame Mary was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2018, for services to the study of classical civilisations.
Miss Van Dal, Head of Classics, said, “Whether it is the legendary deeds of the famous hero Achilles, or the fevered quest for the real Troy, undertaken by scores of archaeologists from the 18th century onwards, the question of what Troy was actually like is something which has captured the imagination of generations of people. Sally’s essay was perceptively argued and offered real academic insight into this age old question. I am sure that her research into this area will be invaluable for her future Classical studies.
Well done, Sally!
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