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Department of Classics and Ancient History

Our Department

Our department of Classics and Ancient History offers an intellectually stimulating environment, as part of a friendly and welcoming community.

We share a common dedication to providing top quality education and student support of the highest standard. We are also committed to shaping the discipline of Classics with ambitious research that matters both to the discipline and in the wider world.
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Plaque outside the Classics and Ancient History building

Our location

We are housed in three connected eighteenth-century buildings on the North Bailey. We are adjacent to the Cathedral and Castle and just two minutes’ walk from the city centre. This beautiful and historic setting is highly conducive to study. Smaller classes often take place within or near our Department, and our Departmental library offers an attractive place to work for many of our students. This dedicated study space offers not only books, but also a friendly community and spectacular views of the Cathedral.

Our Department is also the location for our regular research seminars, presented by staff, graduate students and visiting scholars. 

  • Durham Cathedral

    Durham Cathedral boasts the best-preserved Benedictine monastic library in the British Isles and boasts an astonishing array of material dating from the 6th century to the modern day.
    View of Durham Cathedral across the River Wear

  • Durham Castle

    Begun in 1072 on the orders of William the Conquerer, Durham Castle has a rich architectural history.
    Exterior of Durham Castle lit up at night

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral boasts the best-preserved Benedictine monastic library in the British Isles and boasts an astonishing array of material dating from the 6th century to the modern day.
View of Durham Cathedral across the River Wear

Durham Castle

Begun in 1072 on the orders of William the Conquerer, Durham Castle has a rich architectural history.
Exterior of Durham Castle lit up at night

Our staff

With 21 permanent members of academic staff, we are able to cover both traditional areas of the classical curriculum and less common areas.

We have a broad concept of the ancient world, thanks to our research interests in the Ancient Mediterranean and Near East, and in Classical reception studies. We are concerned both with the ancient world, broadly conceived, and its ongoing relevance for the modern world.
Find out more about our staff
Members of staff from Department of Classics and Ancient History
Logo of large letter C with a classical pillar, and text Classics for All

Partner engagement

Our engagement with partners outside academia demonstrates the continued impact of Classics on people’s lives today. A recent partnership with the charity Classics for All has enabled us to bring Classics into regional schools, and to open up opportunities to study the ancient world.

Find out more about Classics for All

Classics Society

Our student body is large but close-knit, and highly engaged. Our student-led Classics Society organises regular social and academic events, often in conjunction with Departmental staff.

Department of Classics and Ancient History

38 North Bailey
Durham
DH1 3EU

+44 (0)191 33431670

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