Step into another world, and see it – and your own – from new points of view.

The field of classics is dedicated to the study of the literature, history, society, art, and thought of ancient Greece and Rome. Inherently interdisciplinary, it is grounded in the critical reading of Greek and Latin texts and examines all aspects of Greco-Roman civilization from multiple perspectives. As you explore the vibrant cultures of the Greeks and Romans, you will engage with different sources of evidence and modes of inquiry, develop a deeper understanding of these ancient peoples, and cultivate a new appreciation for the many ways in which their legacies continue to shape and reflect our experiences in the present day.

Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson ’04 profile

Alumni Perspective


“I chose a totally new path that began with a liberal arts education, which doesn’t carve a straight line to any job but makes excelling at every job possible.”

Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson ’04, Director, Marketing Community & Communications at Microsoft
Classics, English Literature
Redmond, Washington

Academics

Unbagging First-Year Studies

Martyn Smith, director of First-Year Studies, unbags the 10 works being used in First-Year Studies during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Milan Cathedral from across the square in Milan, Italy
Study Off Campus

Music in Milan

Combine highly customized musical instruction with beginning and intermediate language study and area studies courses taught in English.

Discover Greece, Rome, and the ancient Mediterranean world. 

Learn more about the requirements for the minor in Classical Studies.

Learn more about the Classics faculty.

Ancient coins on top of white gloves

Engage with Antiquity


Take advanced courses in the Hiram Jones Latin Library where you'll be surrounded by classical texts, Roman glass, terracotta, and bronze artifacts, and Republican era Roman coins. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with the Ottilia Buerger Coin Collection, one of the finest collections of ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins in the United States.

Outside the Panteon in Rome, Italy.

Travel into the Past


Bring your studies to life by exploring the ancient world through one of Lawrence University’s study abroad programs in Italy and Greece. 

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Graduates hug following the commencement ceremony.

Classics Studies Outcomes


The Classics program challenges you to develop critical skills and abilities for today’s fast-changing world, and helps you to cultivate habits of mind that can lead to success in a variety of career fields.

Placement & Language Requirement

Have you studied Latin before? Do you want to take further courses in Latin literature, or fulfill the foreign language requirement with Latin? Find out more about Latin placement here.

Can you picture yourself at Lawrence? Apply for admission.

The best way to find out if Lawrence is the university for you is by visiting.

Your virtual tour starts at the Arch but be sure to check out Main Hall, to explore humanities learning spaces.

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