Literae Humaniores

Literae Humaniores. Often referred to as "Greats," it is the prestigious undergraduate degree course in Classics and Philosophy at the University of Oxford. The curriculum represents a profound and intensive study of the languages, literature, history, and thought of the ancient Greco-Roman world, forming the cornerstone of a traditional liberal arts education. Its rigorous training has produced generations of influential scholars, politicians, and public intellectuals.

Definition and etymology

The term **Literae Humaniores** is Latin for "more humane letters," directly contrasting with **Literae Divinitatis**, the study of divinity. This distinction emerged during the Renaissance, when scholars like Erasmus and Petrarch sought to revive the secular wisdom of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. The phrase signifies a shift in focus from theological doctrine to the human-centered writings of authors such as Cicero, Virgil, and Aristotle. At Oxford, it was formally adopted to denote the advanced study of classical antiquity, encompassing both linguistic mastery and philosophical inquiry, and stands as a counterpart to the science-focused **Literae Naturalis**.

Historical development

The course's foundations lie in the Oxford University curriculum reforms of the early 19th century, which systematized the study of Classical Greek and Classical Latin. Key figures like Benjamin Jowett, Regius Professor of Greek and master of Balliol College, was instrumental in shaping its modern form, emphasizing the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle. The study of Ancient History and Archaeology was later integrated, influenced by discoveries at sites like Pompeii and Troy. Throughout the Victorian era, **Literae Humaniores** became synonymous with elite education, preparing students for the British Civil Service and the Indian Civil Service, and was central to the ideology of imperial administration.

Curriculum and content

The curriculum is famously demanding, divided into "Mods" and "Greats." The first part, **Honour Moderations**, involves intense language study of texts by poets like Homer (the *Iliad* and *Odyssey*) and Sophocles, and prose writers like Herodotus and Tacitus. The second part, the **Greats** finals, expands into Ancient History covering periods like the Peloponnesian War and the reign of Augustus, and Philosophy ranging from Pre-Socratics like Heraclitus to later thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Nietzsche. Core philosophical texts include Plato's *Republic* and Aristotle's *Nicomachean Ethics*, while historical analysis might examine the Punic Wars or the Crisis of the Roman Republic.

Influence and legacy

The influence of **Literae Humaniores** on British intellectual history is immense. Its graduates, known as **Greats men**, have included prime ministers like William Gladstone, Harold Macmillan, and Boris Johnson, as well as philosophers such as Isaiah Berlin and A. J. Ayer. The analytical and rhetorical skills it fostered were deemed essential for leadership in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the BBC, and institutions like the Bank of England. The course's emphasis on Socratic debate and critical engagement with primary sources set a global standard for humanities education, influencing the development of **Classical Tripos** at the University of Cambridge and similar programs at Chicago and Princeton University.

Modern usage and interpretation

In contemporary academia, **Literae Humaniores** continues to evolve while maintaining its core identity. There is increased scholarly attention on diverse aspects of the ancient world, including gender studies through figures like Sappho, and the reception of classics in post-colonial contexts. The faculty now incorporates material culture from the British Museum and digital tools like the **Thesaurus Linguae Graecae**. Debates persist regarding its relevance, but its model of deep textual engagement remains influential in modern philosophy departments and in the training of professionals in law at the Inns of Court and journalism. It endures as a premier course for cultivating critical thought and a nuanced understanding of the foundational cultures of the Western world.

Category:University of Oxford Category:Classics Category:Philosophy education