The annual Classics Symposium enjoyed by students from Years 10-13 at Channing, Fortismere, LaSWAP and Francis Holland School (Regent's Park). Dr Liz Gloyn from Royal Holloway started the event off with a fascinating talk on the Stoic philosopher Seneca and his radical ideas about the family and relationships. She had us thinking about oikeiôsis, the Stoic concept of self and the way in which we relate to others, and the way in which this challenged the traditional Roman hierarchical family structure with the paterfamilias as the head of the household.

Dr Albert Bates from Cambridge then spoke about the octopus in classical art and literature and the ways in which art and the octopus intersect: perhaps we are just as crafty as the octopus when we make mimetic art. He reminded us that Odysseus is compared to an octopus in Odyssey 5 and showed us all manner of beautiful Greek vases and Roman mosaics. It was great to bring classicists from different schools together and we look forward to more partnership events next term.