The Eve Adler Department of Classics and the Program in Classical Studies offer courses in ancient languages and a broad range of topics in classical civilization.
The classics major at Middlebury explores the study of the thought, art, and life of ancient Greece and Rome. The founding works of Western literature, history, and philosophy are its main subject matter, together with the languages—Greek and Latin—that enable you to approach these works in the original.
Classics majors combine study of two ancient languages with courses and seminars (taught in English) on classical history, literature, and philosophy.
We offer a core of lecture courses and seminars that provide introductions to the major works of Greek and Roman literature, history, and philosophy—all studied in English translation. Intensive introductory courses in Greek and Latin prepare students rapidly for reading in the classical languages; advanced courses in those languages are devoted to the close study of major classical texts in the original.
The Classical Studies Program, in which students can also major, is designed to offer a broad, rigorous education in the classical world and illustrates how the achievements of classical civilization form the foundations upon which so many disciplines are built. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is reflected by a teaching staff that includes faculty in the Departments of Classics, History of Art and Architecture, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion.
Unlike the classics, major which requires that students learn two ancient languages, a student majoring in classical studies focuses on one ancient language but pursues a wider range of courses on the classical world (taught in English).
Are you fascinated by the world’s oldest languages and cultures? Do you want to understand contemporary society through its Greek and Roman origins? Here you can delve into reading and translating original texts and explore some of the greatest monuments of human thought and culture.
Middlebury College Professor of Classics, 1977–2003
Eve Adler taught classics and classical Hebrew at Middlebury College for more than 25 years until shortly before her death in 2004. She developed new programs in Greek, Latin, and classical Hebrew, as well as foundations courses designed to introduce central texts of Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, and history in translation to all interested students at the College, whom she thereby enticed into the language courses.
Learn more about Eve Adler.
Twilight Hall provides the home base for the Classics Department, with a central and comfortable reading room surrounded by faculty offices. It’s a great place to meet, read from the robust catalogs, and catch up on what’s going on in the department.
Explore the Reading Room