Classics and Ancient History Essay Competition 2024/25: Winners Announced

The Classics Essay Competition is open to all UK students currently studying in Year 12 or equivalent, whether or not they are studying a Classical or Ancient subject, and gives students of any subjects an opportunity to write an essay on the classical world. The organisers are interested in providing an occasion for independent research, to encourage curiosity and reflection in those who have studied the ancient world before and those who have not.

For this year’s competition, entrants were asked to write a reflective and convincing essay in response to one of the following questions:

1. Does ancient literature equate might with right?
2. Why did monarchies succeed in Greek and/or Roman history?
3. Was Plato right that the best rulers are reluctant ones?
4. How important was the visual representation of women for expressing royal and/or imperial power in the ancient world?

This year, the essays were marked by Dr Emma Greensmith (Fellow in Classics), Dr Georgy Kantor (Fellow in Ancient History), Dr Matt Hosty (Lecturer in Classical Languages), Mr Peter Thompson (Lecturer in Classical Archaeology) and Dr Marion Durand (Associate Lecturer in Ancient Philosophy).

An £100 book token was awarded to the best entry in each category, and an additional £75 book token was presented to the overall winner. A further £75 book token was awarded to the best essay submitted by a pupil who has not previously studied a Classical or Ancient subject, while all participants received a certificate of entry.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and commendations:

• History winner (and overall winner): Litch (Surrey)
• History commendations: Virenpratap (London) and Henry (Hampshire)
• Literature winner: Anoushka (Kent)
• Literature commendations: Erin (London) and Jonathan (Surrey)
• New to Classics (and History commendation): Thomas (London)
• Philosophy winner: Jonathan Deming (London)
• Philosophy commendations: Megan (Surrey)
• Archaeology winner: Emma (Merseyside)
• Archaeology commendations: Bosco (London)

You can read the full marker’s report by clicking here.

Competition entrants, as well as Y12 pupils from across the UK who are interested in studying Classics were invited to attend the Classics and Ancient History Subject Exploration Day on the 23rd of April 2025. Students participated in a range of academic taster sessions and received a tour of St John’s College.

Congratulations again to the competition winners and thank you to all those that participated!