Professor Pandey shares her journey as a South Asian American who discovered Latin in college and found in ancient literature a connection to a deeper past. We discuss the mentors who shaped her path, making Classics more accessible and inclusive, and how studying antiquity can challenge modern assumptions about race, power, and cultural identity.

We also explore founding myths and Professor Pandey’s powerful reading of Virgil’s Aeneid, in which Aeneas’s journey as a refugee and immigrant takes on new meaning—and reminds us why the ancient world can speak to all of us.

Professor Hanink traces her journey from studying Latin and Greek to a career exploring ancient Athens and the modern reception of Classical Greece. We discuss the influence of inspiring teachers, the value of connecting antiquity with the modern world, and why Classics teaches the increasingly important art of slowing down and reading closely.

We also explore the Odyssey, the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, mortality and cultural memory, and Professor Hanink’s creative project reimagining the House of Atreus as a Gothic haunted house. Ultimately, our conversation asks what it means to join a dialogue about ancient texts that has endured for thousands of years.

Cindy shares her own unconventional journey from growing up surrounded by ancient sites in Greece to a career in banking and translation before returning to school to study Greek and Latin. We discuss how Classics develops self-expression, close reading, and critical thinking—and why there is no single path into the field.

We also explore Virgil’s Aeneid, learning through travel, and Cindy’s work bringing Classical stories into the present through educational programs and a jewelry collection inspired by ancient coins and mythology that helps fund student scholarships.

Professor Rosen traces his journey from discovering Greek and Latin to a distinguished career studying ancient literature, satire, comedy, and medicine. We discuss surprising connections between Homeric poetry, jazz, and modern rap; the enduring influence of the Odyssey; and what ancient medicine can still teach us about the human experience.

We also tackle one of the central questions of this podcast: Why study Classics? Professor Rosen challenges us to look beyond practical benefits like critical thinking and stronger writing and instead appreciate the ancient world for its richness, complexity, and enduring ability to help us better understand ourselves, our history, and the world around us.

Elizabeth traces her journey from discovering Latin in high school to double concentrating in Latin and Biology at Brown, where professors and mentors deepened her fascination with ancient texts and the human experiences preserved within them. She reflects on how the rigor of Latin taught her to think analytically, embrace challenges, and develop the confidence to pursue paths far beyond the realm of a traditional classroom.

Our conversation explores the surprising connections between Classics, linguistics, acting, and storytelling; the influence of teachers and mentors; and the emotional power of ancient writers such as Catullus. Elizabeth explains why exposure to Latin remains valuable for students today and how Classics can open pathways into careers ranging from law and medicine to writing and the arts.

Ultimately, Elizabeth makes the case that Classics is more than a field of study; it's a way to cultivate curiosity, discover connections, and recognize our shared humanity across thousands of years.

I believe Classical Studies deserves a place in today's classrooms. Too often, the field is dismissed as irrelevant to modern times or reserved for an elite few. I believe it is for everyone. 

Through conversations with leading scholars, educators, and professionals, I hope to highlight that the ancient world is not simply a relic of history but rather a living legacy that continues to shape our world today.

My goal is to make the case that an education in Classics develops critical thinking, cultural understanding, and effective communication, skills that prepare students not only to succeed in broader careers but also to become thoughtful and engaged citizens.

Whether you're a lifelong Classicist or just beginning your journey, I hope that these conversations inspire you to discover why Classics remains one of the most rewarding and transformative fields of study.    

Let's make the case for Classics together!