Britains biggest Classics conference heads for Leicester

The largest annual gathering of classicists in the UK is to take place at Leicester.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams will be among the distinguished guest speakers at the annual Classical Association Conference, which the University hosting for the first time since 1964.

The School of Archaeology & Ancient History is facilitating the four-day Conference, between Friday 6 - Monday 9 April. It draws academics, students, and schoolteachers from across the country and from overseas. This year organisers have equalled the record number of over 480 participants, around 430 coming from outside Leicester.

Professor Graham Shipley, Professor of Ancient History at the University, said: “The hub of the conference will be the Sports Hall in the Charles Wilson Building, where around twenty Classical publishers and booksellers from around the world will be exhibiting their publications. The recently discovered Stibbe Mosaic (the largest stretch of Roman mosaic found in Leicester since the 19th century) will be on display, together with exhibits of works of art and essays from schoolchildren across the UK and beyond. We will also be showcasing work by Classics clubs in local schools belonging to the Lionheart Trust, with whom we are working in partnership with the charity Classics for All.

“Some of the artworks were designed as entries for our Artefact to Art competition and the Schools Essay Competition run by the Organizing Committee. These will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on Saturday evening chaired by Dr Naoíse Mac Sweeney, director of the Artefact to Art programme. These are linked to the School of Archaeology & Ancient History’s Classics and Archaeology Outreach programme, directed by Dr Sarah Scott (National Teaching Fellow) and generously funded by Classics for All. The School has recently been designated a Regional Hub for CfA.

“We are pleased to have this fantastic opportunity to publicize the work of the School of Archaeology & Ancient History and its staff and students.”