Exeposé Comment caught up with Ronnie Henderson, President of Exeter Classics Society to discuss his favourite ancient God, Gladiator and Exeter’s Roman history.
Exeposé Comment: Do you hold claim to the best toga party?
Ronnie Henderson: We certainly do; our biggest social of the year is our Toga social in September – this year we had 100 toga clad members descend on the Impy and then process across the city to our second home, Arena!
EC: Who’s your favourite ancient God and why?
RH:I think I’d have to choose Zeus; the king of the gods, conqueror of the Titans, protector of mortals – an all round top guy. Oh and he throws lightning bolts too.
EC: Why are the remains under Exeter Cathedral worth saving and displaying to the public?
RH: I think displaying our heritage is something that is really important in today’s society, and the Roman remains in Exeter are a fascinating aspect of the city’s history. I think this excavation really has the potential to bring students and the local community together in celebration of Exeter’s past.
EC: Is the study of Classics still relevant to modern day society?
RH: This is a question that most Classicists will be asked at some point in their lives – and the simple answer is yes, yes it really is. Classics is essentially the study of many subjects – of history, of philosophy, of language, of literature, of art – of the human condition itself. There are many lessons to learn and examples to follow from the Ancient World which can benefit us today; from how to organise a democratic election to how to lead a healthy lifestyle, there is a lot to be gained from studying Classics. Some of the most inspirational and influential people in modern society studied Classics; Karl Marx, Oscar Wilde and Frederick Nietzsche amongst them. And not forgetting one of the best orators and political figures in our lifetime, Boris Johnson.
EC: What is the purpose of Classics Soc outside of academics?
RH: We label ourselves as ‘a means through which people can get involved in events both closely and loosely related to Classics’, which emphasises how important non-academic activities are to us. We have a range of events for outside of the lecture theatre; as well as our fantastic socials, we organise a trip to an ancient site every year (we are heading to Greece next summer), we put on an annual Ball for our members (which is also attended by our lecturers!), we stage a Classical play every Easter (this year we are putting on two!) and we have successful intramural Netball, Football and Rounders teams. All of our events are designed to provide a platform from which students who are interested in the Ancient World can meet up and socialise together.
A beginner’s guide to the history of Ancient Rome.
EC: Would you rather be a citizen of today’s society or Ancient Greece/Rome?
RH: Having studied the place so much, I would love to go back to Ancient Rome and see exactly what it was like; it would be fascinating to see whether the Roman world and people are the same as how we have interpreted them and their culture and society! However I think there are a lot of things that we have in modern society that I take for granted and I wouldn’t be able to cope without; I am of course talking about Curly fries & chicken bites.
EC: 300 or Gladiator?
RH: Always Gladiator. It is the perfect combination of bloodthirsty action scenes and heart-wrenching drama, set against the striking backdrop of Imperial Rome. The soundtrack is incredible too.
EC: Why should somebody study Classics?
RH: The primary reason for studying any subject should always be because you have a passion for it. The great thing about Classics is that there is such a range of interests available – whether you have a passion for art, sport, religion or pretty much any other topic, the Ancient World will have something for you!
EC: What career opportunities are available for somebody with this degree?
RH: Because Classics is such a diverse subject, by studying it you are able to gain an equally diverse range of skills. Aside from the more traditional career choices of teaching and academia (which many Classicists still go into), jobs in the financial market are increasingly popular with Classicists. The analytical nature of studying Latin and Greek provides skills which are most advantageous for working in finance & business.
EC: What events have you got coming up before the end of term?
RH: We have already had some great events this term including our Toga social and a debate on the importance of open access research. For the rest of term we have a number of socials lined up; a Saturnalia social (where the freshers are in charge!), a formal Christmas cocktail party and a few relaxed socials in pubs around Exeter. We are also performing an extract of one of our plays (Lysistrata) at a PhD conference which is taking place in Exeter in December.
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