St Mary's Calne
On Tuesday 5th March, some of our UVI, LVI, and UV Classicists went to Winchester College to meet to their Classics students and take a look at their collection of artefacts, including coins, paintings, and old manuscripts which are held in the Winchester College Treasury.
When we arrived, we had tea and coffee with some of the students before being introduced to our first task: an inscription treasure-hunt. After being split into three groups, we headed off, allowing us to be toured around the school whilst simultaneously translating ancient inscriptions within the buildings, which were really interesting to see first-hand.
Following this, we returned to the school’s treasury, and my group began with the vase handling session. Although we were all terrified we would smash something, we enjoyed observing the decorative vases and discussing them – with my favourite being a ram-shaped perfume-holder – as well as being able to actually hold them.
The next session involved being shown around the school’s personal collection by their current students, who told us some fun facts about the artefacts, including plaster-casts of marble images displayed in the Parthenon.
When we had finished, we continued to a session in which we were taught about different ancient coins and books. It was amazing to be able to see (and attempt to translate) some of the more famous texts in their original languages, such as Aristophanes’ Frogs and Plato’s Symposium, some of which we study for A Level Greek. There was even a copy of Virgil’s Aeneid written in Old English!
All exhausted by so much Classics, we had dinner and travelled back to school, after an incredible day. We are all very grateful to have been able to visit Winchester College and see their amazing collection!
Hannah C, UVI