Department of Classics | Queen's University

What is Classics and Archaeology?

Classics refers to the study of the Greek and Roman worlds. Multi-disciplinary in approach, it involves the studies of history, literature, archaeology, religion, mythology, drama and philosophy, in addition to the ancient languages of Greek and Latin. Archaeology is the study of ancient (and more recent) societies through the remains of their material culture. The methods of archaeology are many (excavation, remote sensing, surface survey, imaging, chemical and physical analysis to name a few) and can be applied to any area and period. The study of the physical remains of the Greek and Roman cultures and of the many other cultures that interacted with them is called Classical Archaeology.

Today our understanding of Greek and Roman culture is further enhanced by the latest digital techniques that increasingly pervade studies in archaeology, epigraphy, papyrology, and ancient science and medicine. At Queen’s, students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the latest techniques by participating in one of two archaeological excavations supervised by our own faculty, or through a variety of projects and assignments.

It can be said that studying Classics can lead to a wider appreciation of human values and achievements, and a more objective understanding of ourselves and our times. Our undergraduates have gone on to a variety of occupations and have been accepted into graduate programs nationally and internationally.

Feel free to contact any of our faculty (see our Faculty page for our experts listings), or come visit us in the department with questions you have about our courses and programs.

ACCEPTING applications for graduate studies in Classics and Archaeology for 2023-2024

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Choose Classics for your Degree!

Classics is now open for Plan selection!

Please see our options for Major/Medial/Minor

Exhibition - Antiquities through Modern Eyes!

The Antiquity Through Modern Eyes Symposium, hosted by Professor Cristiana Zaccagnino (Classics & Archaeology) and Professor Emy Kim (Art Conservation), was a great success! The Exhibition will be on display at Kingston City Hall from April 2023 to March 2024!

To read more about the Exhibition and the Diniacopoulos Collection, please visit our website by clicking HERE!

Spotlight

Spotlight on Emily Croft Graduate student, Emily Croft, interviewed on the Classical Studies program at Queen's University.

2023 Excavations

Applications for the faculty directed excavations at Caere, Nora and Stobi are now open! For more information and to fill out the application forms, please visit our archaeology webpages at the links below!

Faculty News

Dr. Fabio Colivicchi will be a Discussant at The Origins of the Forum and the Basilica, hosted by the University of Notre Dame-Rome Global Gateway in Italy!

Professor Colivicchi is on day 1, discussing "The Early Forum: In order to understand how fora and basilicas emerge in the third and second centuries BCE, the conference will commence with a discussion of the evidence for the development of these spaces in the centuries preceding".

For more information, please visit the website HERE!